The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Transport Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, stated on Wednesday that no maritime sector can move forward without a strong, informed and engaged media community.
Speaking in Lagos at the 10th anniversary and annual seminar for maritime journalists, the NSC boss said the efforts of the maritime media have contributed to greater transparency, better public understanding and greater accountability within the Nigerian maritime landscape.
Akutah said: “Today’s event is particularly significant, not only because it marks a decade of sustained commitment, but also because it will unveil the distinguished individuals who will drive a platform to launch the Maritime and Capability Development Centre.
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“This anniversary theme, ‘A Decade of Collaboration for Impact: Strengthening Maritime Journalism for the Future,’ reflects the association’s essential role 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. Their work has contributed to greater transparency, better public understanding and greater accountability within our maritime landscape.
“The Nigerian Shippers Council, in particular, under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, has benefited from its professionalism and sustained coverage of our regulatory interventions, reforms and collaborative efforts to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the port environment.
“This decade-long journey affirms a simple truth: no maritime sector can move forward without a strong, informed and engaged media community.
“As the maritime sector becomes more complex, driven by digitalisation, new business realities, regulatory reforms and global logistical changes, journalism within this space must evolve accordingly.”
Earlier in his speech, the coordinator of the Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists and CEO of 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 Public Relations Department of the NSC.
In his words, “I want to place on record that the milestone we celebrate here today has been supported for 10 years by the Nigerian Transport Council.
“We remember with deep gratitude the then Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, and the management of the Council, who focused on 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 NSC Public Relations Department. We are equally deeply grateful to the successive heads of the Agency’s Public Relations Department.
“We are equally grateful that successive CEOs of the Council did not dismiss the idea. And that is why we have among us today the esteemed presence of the current 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. That is why each year we focus on issues that directly affect the industry and span all sub-sectors.
“Every year, we come together like this to deliberate on issues central to or related to the Nigerian maritime industry.
“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, in fulfillment of our commitment during the ninth edition of the Seminar last year, we have added value to the annual meeting. This morning, we will present the icing on the cake, which is the Center for Maritime Capability Development and Environment. The Advisory Council consists of eminent personalities, who will also be unveiled.
“Journalism is a dynamic profession. Therefore, maritime journalists are equally faced with the need to improve their knowledge, especially in this era of artificial intelligence, digitalization and social media in general. All this has combined to put journalists under intense pressure to publish factual details at all times, and also compete and be relevant.
“The Center for Maritime Media and Skills Development is our bold move to close this gap and also ensure that maritime journalists, regardless of how young or old, remain relevant.
“The Center is open to partnership with interested corporate stakeholders. Our goal is collaboration to create impact. Ultimately, the Nigerian maritime industry will benefit from this initiative.
“The eminent personalities who serve on the Center’s board of directors are an indicator of the seriousness of the task and the determination to succeed.”
Also speaking was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Emeka Akabogu, who said the harmonization of the national single window for economic development is an issue that is at the heart of the art of efficiency that Nigeria hoped to achieve.
“Much of the challenge in our ports has arisen because importers, exporters and Customs have not played their roles as effectively as they should. A lot depends on ensuring that the human interface is removed from the entire process. Hence the National Single Window System, which will facilitate a platform that ensures that the formalities of the entire cargo clearance process, which today still requires several submissions to various regulations and agencies, is achieved through one window, through one presentation and through a set of approvals.
“Customs has done very well in ensuring that the World Trade Organization trade facilitation agreement, to which Nigeria is a signatory, is embodied in the law. And that is the essence of the Nigerian Customs Service Act, 2023. That law, without more, has the potential to transform the clearance process for Nigeria and put Nigeria at the top of cargo clearance procedures on the continent.
“However, that law cannot be translated into reality in terms of what would facilitate that profitability if customs cannot do what is necessary to ensure that it comes to life. That is why I am very happy that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appears to have taken the issue of the single window very seriously in the last one and a half years, appointing a special committee and a special coordinator for the purpose,” Emeka Akabogu said.