Maritime Agencies
Blue Economy in Focus as MWUN Launches “Maritime Labour Voice” in Lagos.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) has given special tribute to employers of dockworkers, regulators and other stakeholders who, by the special attention they are giving to the wellbeing of the labour force under them, are enormously contributing to the stability and growth of the maritime sector.
MWUN President-General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju stated this in Lagos, Wednesday, at the unveiling of “Maritime Labour Voice”, the Union’s inhouse publication.
He stated that the primary purpose of the magazine is to provide a strong voice from the dock labour force on how best to contribute in promoting a harmonious working environment that would stimulate industrial peace as the medium represents what he referred to as “the voice of the voiceless.”
Delivering a special lecture on the topic “The Marine and Blue Economy: It’s Impact on Maritime Workers,” foremost maritime lawyer, Barr. Osuala Nwagbara described maritime workers and seafarers as the engine room and eyes with which the maritime industry sees. A clean and unpolluted ocean, he explained, has a lasting effect on seafarers.
“According to the United Nations, 40% of the world population live near coastal areas; 80% of world trade is achieved using the seas. The oceans, seas and coastal areas contribute to food security and poverty reduction. And yet, the ocean is under severe threat by human activities, where economic profit are at the expense of environmental degradation.
“Acidification, pollution, ocean warming and fishery collapse are just some of the examples of the consequences on the marine ecosystem. These threats are detrimental to the planet and have long term repercussions that demand urgent action to protect the oceans and the people who depend on them.”
Nwagbara counselled a viable use of the ocean economy in line with the concept of blue economy to sustain life on earth. This ocean economy entails the oceans, seas and marine resources conservation, sea pollution reduction and decarbonised shipping, he told the quality audience.
“In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted a development policy on sustainability which centers around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The 17 goals provide a global blueprint for peace and prosperity of people and the planet and are set to be achieved by 2030. Goal 14, titled Life Below Water, concerns conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, and demands international cooperation for the oceans to get back in balance.”
Reaching Goal 14 requires universal action to protect the planet and require the collaboration of global and regional blocs within the international community and requisite legal frame work for its implementation.”
The oceans and seas are a main source of food, energy and minerals, and are being used for different purposes. Common examples are fisheries and aquaculture, and the processing and trade of these resources. The maritime transport also plays a big role in the global market in the form of containerships, tankers, and ports for the vessels. Furthermore, coastal tourism is the largest business within ocean activities in terms of employment.”
He recommended the
enforcement of globally applicable IMO rules by flag States and port States, national laws and regulations by national Maritime Administrations, as applicable. The importance of this lies in promoting and driving the marine and blue economy. Effective promotion of marine and blue economy will have a positive impact on Maritime Workers, he explained.
In his remarks, Comrade Charles Agada, Port Manager, Apapa Port, hailed the MWUN and its leadership for coming up with the idea of an inhouse voice as “Maritime Voice” symbolizes the strength of the Maritime Worker’s Union. The entire gamut of port operations is embedded in the new Ministry, he restated.
NPA’s Mrs. Sarah Bala who stood in for the MD described the Blue Economy as a game changer in Nigeria. To Mrs Bala, the Assistant Director, Corporate and Strategic Communications in the agency, “everything you see in the country is a product of the Blue Economy”.
She commended the MWUN for coming out with a magazine and urged that the tempo be sustained.
The Chairman of the event, Dr (Mrs) Vicky Haastrup, President, Seaport Terminal Owners Association of Nigeria (STOAN) lauded MWUN for contributing immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. “If the right policies are made and the right things are done, the maritime sector can solve the economic problems of Nigeria”, the Executive Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium Ltd stated. She praised the leadership of MWUN for the wonderful initiative of publishing a magazine which is timely and designed to richly contribute to the growth of the industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime reporters body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Thursday, set aside the Godfrey Bivbere-led Executive, replacing it with a 3-man Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the body in the interim.
The Caretaker Committee unanimously put in place is part of a major reorganization to reposition MARAN to enable her meet her cardinal aspirations .
Led by Mr Tunde Ayodele as Chairman, Mr John Obot and Mrs Ruth Sunday Umunna now serve as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.
Unveiling the new dispensation in a release, MARAN wishes all stakeholders, particularly in the maritime sector, ministries, government departments and agencies to, henceforth, direct and channel all dealings with the new leadership.
”The Association wishes to state categorically that the action is for the good of the Association, the industry and the nation in general and should therefore not be misconstrued.”
”We wish to use this medium to invite our highly esteemed stakeholders to our Association’s forthcoming launch of the book, “50 Drivers of the Nigerian Marine and Blue Economy”, coming up on the 4th of December, at Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.”
”The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN, is a foremost body of highly cerebral, credible, erudite and professional Journalists, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. It has been covering the activities of the maritime industry for nearly four decades.”
”The Association had made its indelible mark in the maritime sector through unbiased, insightful, and impactful reportage of the sector over the years.
It is the first and the longest Maritime Association in the Industry and has evolved with more than forty members from the Prints, Electronic and Online platforms.”
Maritime Agencies
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING: Seme Border Customs Nabs Traffickers of Lion Cubs, Patas Monkeys.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
In continuation of the campaign against illegal trafficking of wild life and endangered animal species, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a consignment of endangered wildlife species, including one lion cub and two patas monkeys. This followed a stop-and-search operation along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.
A statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman says the interception occurred at about 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, November 16, 2025, when operatives stopped a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA at Gbaji.
Upon inspection, officers discovered the animals whose cross-border transportation was a clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.
Two suspects — Mathew Kofi, a Beninoise national and Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian — claimed ownership of the animals and admitted to purchasing them in Kano with the intention of conveying them to Benin Republic.
The Command immediately confiscated the animals in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The suspects were detained for further investigation to determine their level of involvement in wildlife trafficking.
Formally handing over the lion cub and monkeys to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative for proper handling, the Customs Area Controller , Comptroller Wale Adenuga, represented by Deputy Comptroller A.Y.Mohammed, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws, environmental conservation and border security.
“We will continue to work with relevant agencies to ensure that the illegal trade in endangered species is decisively curtailed,” he stated.
He said the interception underscores Nigeria Customs’ growing role in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting biodiversity, while reinforcing the country’s compliance with international conservation standards.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has been unveiled as the Special Guest of Honour for the official launch of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria’s (MARAN) latest publication, “50 Drivers of Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy.”
The high-profile event is scheduled for Thursday, December 4th, 2025, at Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos by 12noon.
According to a statement by the MARAN President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, the ceremony will be chaired by former Nigerian Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho.
Bivbere noted that the presence of these eminent personalities underscores the book’s relevance to Nigeria’s evolving maritime landscape, particularly as the nation intensifies efforts toward repositioning its marine and blue economy for sustainable growth.
He described the forthcoming book as a “comprehensive compendium” that documents the individuals, agencies, and organisations shaping Nigeria’s maritime transformation.
His words: “This indispensable volume educates industry professionals on the profound history and current opportunities within the sector, spotlighting the people and institutions whose contributions continue to drive national development.
”With the book, readers can discover how the blue economy’s past is paving the way for a promising future.”
The MARAN President explained that the publication is the product of months of rigorous research and editorial work aimed at capturing the achievements and innovations of the 50 most influential drivers in the sector.
He added that the December 4 launch is expected to attract top government functionaries, regulators, shipowners, freight forwarders, terminal operators, scholars, and investors, making it one of the most anticipated gatherings of maritime leaders in recent years.
Bivbere assured that arrangements are in top gear to deliver a befitting event that celebrates excellence, professionalism, and service to the nation’s maritime advancement.
MARAN Dissolves Exco, Appoints An Interim Leadership.
ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING: Seme Border Customs Nabs Traffickers of Lion Cubs, Patas Monkeys.
Oyetola, Iheanacho, To Lead Maritime Stakeholders To Launch MARAN’s New Book
IMPRESSIVE REVENUE DRIVE: Tincan Customs Generates ₦154.3Bn In October.
MAN, ORON: Minister, Governing Council, Celebrate Management and Cadets At 2025 Graduation Event
MAN: Only A NASS Review Can Convert It To A Conventional University, Governing Council Warns.
MAN, ORON, Charges Graduating Cadets To Uphold Academy’s Core Values.
Customs Embraces OSS, A Special Platform, To Deepen Trade Facilitation
MARAN Launches Major Industry Publication In December
PTML Customs Intercepts 1000kg of Cocaine In Empty Container
Apapa Customs Unveils ECTS To Deepen Trade Facilitation, Boost Revenue And National Security.I
BADAGRY: Customs Broker Deplores Role of Unapproved Checkpoints As Baggage Maritime Magazine Celebrates
OCTOBER REVENUE: Apapa Customs Breaks Record, Nets 304Bn In A Month
OTC 2026: Tantita Secures Approval for Lecture on Drone Security
Stakeholders Cry Out, Seek FG’s Intervention To Avoid a Return of Apapa Gridlock.
CILT Honours Dr Okonna, MAN Oron Acting Rector, with Outstanding Leadership and Service Excellence Award
APFFLON Seeks Immediate Reform of CRFFN, Replacement of Registrar.
1. EXECUTIVE PLATFORM. AMES 2024: TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS SHIPPING DEVELOPMENT IS NOW, AMES President Charges FG.
OMIS AWARDS, 2022: Greg Ogbeifun, Industry Gurus For Special Recognition.
2023 ELECTIONS：CILT Hosts Seminar on Logistics & Electoral Process
FG Set To Re-establish National Shipping Line, To Take Advantage of $10 bn Annual Ship Charter Market.
INLAND WATERWAYS OFFERS NIGERIA ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE, Says Sambo
Photo News: Salah Celebration
MAN, ORON: It’s Encomiums Galore From International Seabed Authority (ISA).
B’ODOGWU TRADE PORTAL: Customs Consolidates, Pilots Form ‘M’ Processing.
PHOTO NEWS: Maritime Capacity Development
WAR AGAINST OIL THEFT: Tompolo’s Company Nabs VLCC Laden With Crude Oil
Lilypond Export Command Is Meeting Expectations, Handles 70% of Nigeria’s Total Tonnage of Export Cargo, says CAC Odusanya.
Sylvanus Ekpo, ex-Editor, Shipping World Magazine, loses Mum
BENIN SEAPORT UPDATE: Edo State Government, Host Communities, Conduct Bidders To Inspect Project Site.
MAN, Oron, Kick-starts Simulator-based Training, Commends FG, NIMASA.
SIFAX GROUP: Ojeniyi Becomes Sky Capital GMD, Omajuwa Strategy Director.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoPTML Customs Intercepts 1000kg of Cocaine In Empty Container
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoApapa Customs Unveils ECTS To Deepen Trade Facilitation, Boost Revenue And National Security.I
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoIMPRESSIVE REVENUE DRIVE: Tincan Customs Generates ₦154.3Bn In October.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMAN: Only A NASS Review Can Convert It To A Conventional University, Governing Council Warns.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMAN, ORON, Charges Graduating Cadets To Uphold Academy’s Core Values.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoMAN, ORON: Minister, Governing Council, Celebrate Management and Cadets At 2025 Graduation Event
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoCustoms Embraces OSS, A Special Platform, To Deepen Trade Facilitation
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoMARAN Launches Major Industry Publication In December