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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Topmost public relations and events management expert, Mr Bolaji Abimbola has stated that to realize its full meaning as a profession, maritime journalism must showcase accountability, public trust, informed citizenship and ethical reporting as these are indispensable if effective maritime and national development are to be achieved.
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‎Mr Abimbola who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Indigo Integrated Nigeria Ltd made the call in Lagos, Tuesday, during the inauguration of the newly-elected Executive Council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), an event whose theme was ‘Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development’ ‘.
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‎In attendance were maritime industry leaders including officials of relevant government agencies. Other Industry  stakeholders were security agencies, freight forwarders and media practitioners.
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‎Abimbola explained that maritime development encompasses shipping, port operations, fisheries, offshore energy, coastal trade, and the blue economy which massively contribute to the overall national economic growth. For any reporter on the beat, he warned,  unethical acts could undermine investor confidence, distort public perception and hinder effective policy implementation.
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‎According to him, inaccurate reports on issues such as port congestion, piracy, and maritime regulations have the potential to discourage investors and shipping operators, while sensational reporting of security incidents could trigger unnecessary panic and misconceptions about the sector.
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‎He urged journalists to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, balance, accountability, and humanity in their reporting, while embracing data-driven and investigative journalism to deepen public understanding of maritime issues.
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‎The public relations guru also identified economic pressures, political interference, safety concerns, and the proliferation of misinformation on digital platforms as some of the major challenges working against ethical journalism in Nigeria.
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‎In his intervention, Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa, Chairman of the occasion and President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), emphasized the importance of ethical and investigative reportage in promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the maritime industry.
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‎Journalists, Maiguwa noted, have a critical responsibility to remain committed to factual reporting and continuous professional development in order to maintain public trust and contribute meaningfully to policy reforms and sectoral growth.
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‎Earlier in his inaugural address, the newly sworn-in MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde pledged to build a stronger, more united, and professionally vibrant association capable of responding to the evolving demands of maritime journalism.
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‎He described MARAN as one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected maritime journalism bodies, noting that the association has consistently served as a bridge between industry stakeholders and the public through decades of reforms, economic shifts, and industry transformation.
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‎According to Onigbinde, ethical journalism remains fundamental to maritime development because sustainable growth in the sector depends on credible information, transparency, and accountability.
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‎”As maritime journalists, our duty goes beyond reporting events. We are expected to inform, educate, investigate, analyse and hold institutions accountable. We must resist sensationalism, reject misinformation and ensure that every report we publish is guided by truth, fairness, balance and professionalism,” he stated.
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‎The MARAN President outlined his administration’s priorities, including enhanced capacity building, promotion of investigative and data-driven journalism and the adoption of digital reporting tools. Other priorities include improved welfare for members and stronger engagement with industry stakeholders while maintaining editorial independence.
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‎He called for unity and cooperation among members especially now electioneering campaigns have ended and a new leadership has emerged.
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‎”The elections are behind us. There are no longer camps. There are no factions. There is only one MARAN,” he announced.
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‎Speaking through Godfrey Nwosu, the association’s General Secretary,  the National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Tochukwu Emmanuel Ezisi, described ethical journalism as a stabilizing force capable of strengthening the maritime sector.
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‎Responsible journalism, he explained, promotes transparency in port operations, enhances institutional accountability, boosts investor confidence and supports reforms necessary for the growth of the industry.
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‎He urged the newly inaugurated executive council to focus on upholding professional standards, strengthening investigative reporting, deepening stakeholder engagement, embracing digital transformation, and investing in continuous capacity development.
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‎He also reaffirmed NAGAFF’s commitment to collaborating with MARAN in the areas of training, research, information sharing, and advocacy.
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‎Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Toyin Agbaminoja, represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Isaac Hundeyin, highlighted the strategic role of maritime journalists in promoting transparency, accountability, and public understanding of issues affecting the maritime industry.
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‎The police commissioner commended MARAN for its professionalism in reporting security-related developments within the ports environment, noting that the association’s work has contributed significantly to crime prevention awareness and strengthened public confidence in security agencies.
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‎She assured stakeholders that the Command was committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and business-friendly port environment through intelligence-led policing, proactive stakeholder engagement and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
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‎Agbaminoja called on the newly inaugurated executive to build on the achievements of their predecessors while upholding the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity.
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‎The event ended with renewed commitments from stakeholders to support ethical journalism as a vital instrument for maritime development, institutional accountability, economic growth, and the advancement of Nigeria’s blue economy.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Come Tuesday, June 23, the newly elected Executive Council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will be inaugurated at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos with the theme
‎’Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.’
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‎The  event scheduled for 10 am is expected to, among others, attract top players in the maritime, shipping, logistics, security and media sectors. Heads of key regulatory agencies and leaders of various maritime associations have also indicated interest to grace the occasion.
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‎Chairman of the occasion is the President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, while renowned public relations and event management expert, Bolaji Abimbola, will deliver the keynote address.
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‎Among dignitaries expected are the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho and the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barrister Pius Akutah Ukeyima.
‎The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, alongside chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders and other stakeholders across the maritime value chain will also attend.
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‎Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s quest to deepen professionalism, credibility and responsible maritime reporting.
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‎He said the new executive would focus on strengthening the association through capacity building, constructive engagement and adherence to ethical standards, stressing that responsible journalism remains critical to transparency, accountability and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime industry and the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎In recognition of his outstanding contributions to maritime journalism,  consistency in reporting and commitment to promoting informed discourse on Nigeria’s maritime and transport sectors, Oluyinka Onigbinde, President, Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has been honoured as Maritime Reporter of the Year, 2026.
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‎The investiture took place during the 12th Nigerian Transport Lecture and Awards event organized by Transport Day Media.
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‎The annual Nigerian Transport Lecture, is one of the country’s foremost gatherings of policymakers, regulators, transport operators, academics and journalists, where critical issues affecting the transport industry are examined and excellence within the sector is celebrated.
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‎This year’s lecture on the theme “Intermodal Transportation Safety in Nigeria: Prospects, Challenges and Contributions to National Growth,” featured a keynote address by former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who called for stronger measures to improve safety across Nigeria’s transportation system.
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‎Onigbinde’s emergence as Maritime Reporter of the Year was widely applauded by industry stakeholders, who described the award as a fitting recognition of his years of dedication to objective, investigative and impactful maritime journalism.
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‎Over the years, Onigbinde has built a reputation for in-depth reports, policy analyses, exclusive interviews and balanced coverage of Nigeria’s ports, shipping, customs administration, freight forwarding, logistics and the blue economy.
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‎Aside his role as Assistant Editor of Shipping Position Daily, Onigbinde recently assumed office as President of MARAN where he has pledged to promote professionalism, strengthen collaboration between the media and maritime stakeholders, and advance credible, ethical maritime journalism in Nigeria.
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‎Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Onigbinde expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition, describing it as both humbling and motivating.
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‎He dedicated the award to members of MARAN, his colleagues at Shipping Position Daily, his mentors, industry stakeholders and everyone who has supported his journalism career over the years.
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‎The recognition, he stated, serves as a renewed challenge to continue pursuing factual, balanced and impactful journalism that contributes to the growth and development of Nigeria’s maritime and transport sectors.
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‎He also reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards and supporting initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, transparency safety and sustainable development within the nation’s maritime industry.
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‎The latest recognition adds to the growing list of honours received by Onigbinde for his contributions to maritime journalism and comes at a time when he is leading MARAN with a vision centred on professionalism, capacity building and constructive engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry.
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‎The Transport Day Media Awards are regarded as one of the transport sector’s notable platforms for recognising individuals and organisations whose work have significantly advanced Nigeria’s transport ecosystem through policy, innovation, advocacy, operational excellence and media coverage.
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