Maritime sector cannot grow without strong, knowledgeable media — NSC

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, on Wednesday said that no maritime sector can advance without a strong, knowledgeable, and committed media community.

Speaking in Lagos at the 10th Anniversary and Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists, the NSC Boss said that the efforts of the maritime media have contributed to greater transparency, improved public understanding, and stronger accountability within the Nigerian maritime landscape.

Akutah said, “Today’s event is especially significant, not only because it marks a decade of consistent engagement, but also because it will unveil the distinguished individuals who will drive a platform to launch the Maritime Media and Capacity Development Centre.

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“The theme of this anniversary ‘A Decade of Collaboration for Impact: Strengthening Maritime Journalism for the Future’, reflects the essential role of partnership in building a stronger maritime industry.

“Over the years, maritime journalists have worked closely with regulators, operators, policymakers, and stakeholders to illuminate the challenges and opportunities of the sector. Your work has contributed to greater transparency, improved public understanding, and stronger accountability within our maritime landscape.

“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, in particular, under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, has benefitted from your professionalism and sustained coverage of our regulatory interventions, reforms, and collaborative efforts to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the port environment.

“This decade-long journey affirms a simple truth: no maritime sector can advance without a strong, knowledgeable, and committed media community.

“As the maritime sector grows more complex, driven by digitalisation, new trade realities, regulatory reforms, and global logistical shifts, journalism within this space must evolve accordingly.”

Earlier in his speech, the Convener of the Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists and CEO, First Mediacon Network Limited, Mr Sesan Onileimo, explained that over the years, the Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists has become a Key Performance indicator (KPI) of the PR Department of the NSC.

In his words, “I want to put it on record that the milestone that we are celebrating here today has been supported for 10 years by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

“We remember with deep appreciation, the then Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello and the Council’s Management. They keyed in to the dream of capacity building and manpower development for maritime journalists.

“Over the years, the ‘Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists’ has become a Key Performance indicator (KPI) of the PR Department of the NSC. We are equally deeply grateful to successive heads of the PR Department of the Agency.

“We are equally grateful that successive CEOs of the Council did not throw the idea away. And that is why we have in our midst today, the esteemed presence of the incumbent CEO, Dr Pius Akutah. We thank you for your immeasurable support, sir.

“The ‘Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists’ has grown to become a baby of the Nigerian maritime industry. This is why every year, we dwell on issues that affect the industry directly, cutting across sub-sectors.

“Each year, we gather like this to deliberate on issues that are central or germane to the Nigerian maritime industry.

“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, in fulfilment of our pledge during the 9th Edition of the Seminar last year, we have added value to the yearly gathering. This morning, we shall be unveiling the icing on the cake, which is the Centre for Maritime Media &Capacity Development. The Advisory Board is made up of eminent personalities, who will also be unveiled.

“Journalism is a dynamic profession. Maritime journalists are therefore equally confronted with the need to upscale their knowledge, especially in this era of artificial intelligence, digitalisation and social media in general. All of these have combined to put journalists under intense pressure to push out factual details at all times, and also compete and be relevant.

“The Centre for Maritime Media and Capacity Development is our bold move to bridge this gap and also ensure that maritime journalists, irrespective of how young or old they are on the beat, will remain relevant.

“The Centre is open for partnership with interested corporate stakeholders. Our goal is collaboration for impact. Ultimately, the Nigerian maritime industry will benefit from this initiative.

“The eminent personalities sitting on the Board of the Centre are a pointer to the seriousness of the assignment and the determination to succeed.”

Also speaking, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Emeka Akabogu, said that harmonising the National single window for economic development is a subject which is at the core of the art of efficiency that Nigeria has been hoping to get to within.

“A lot of the challenge at our ports has arisen because importers, exporters, and Customs have not played their roles as effectively as they should be. A lot depends on ensuring that the human interface is removed from the entire process. This is why the National Single Window System, which will facilitate a platform that ensures that the formalities of the entire process of cargo clearance, which today still requires several submissions to several regulations and agencies, is achieved through one window, through one submission, and through one set of approvals.

“Customs has done very well by ensuring that the trade facilitation agreement of the World Trade Organisation, which Nigeria is a signatory to, is domesticated under the law. And that is the essence of the Nigerian Customs Service Act of 2023. That act, without more, has the potential of transforming the formalities process for Nigeria and putting Nigeria right at the top of cargo clearance formalities on the continent.

“However, that act cannot translate to reality with regard to what would facilitate that cost efficiency if customs is unable to do what is needed to ensure that it comes to life. That is why I’m very happy that it appears that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken the subject of single window very seriously in the last year and a half or so, appointing a special committee and a special coordinator for that purpose,” Emeka Akabogu stated.