Maritime Agencies
Collaboration, Partnerships Essential For Blue Economy To Flourish, Says Capt Sunday Umoren.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Collaboration, partnerships cannot be taken away while exploring how to make the best out of the blue economy.
Secretary-General, Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Ports State Control (Abuja MOU), Capt Sunday Umoren stated this while featuring at the 4th annual symposium and workshop of the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative in Lagos, Tuesday, on the theme: ‘Achieving Blue Growth in a Changing Climate’.
Discussing the topic ‘Collaboration and Partnership in Driving Blue Economy,’ Umoren said collaboration and partnerships provide the only means of actualizing the prospects of the Blue Economy.
Collaboration and partnerships, he emphasized, could cover funding, marketing, shareholding, technology, sustainability, conservation, policy formation and innovation. Other areas include research and development, logistics, off-taking, and any other area of mutual agreement. Collaboration should be regulated with international best practices that partners will most likely flow through and be guided.
“The legality should cover the maximum % share of ownership, employment, repatriation of funds and guided by the principle of fairplay and equity.”
The advantages of collaboration and partnership, he stated, are reduced transaction costs and specialization, utilization of complementaries, utilization of local rivalry, technological transfer, innovation and international competitiveness. Business profitability, growth in size and internationalization also come in various categories – local, private, national and international; inter-governmental, JVs, Regional Cooperation (ECOWAS/ECCAS, AU, Abuja MoU, GMAC (Green Maritime Africa Coalition), the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO), etc.
These involve regional intergovernmental organizations that can promote economic integration and cooperation among member states.
Sustainable fishing, marine resource management and environmental conservation can benefit from such arrangement, he explained.
ICCAT is a regional fisheries management organization responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas established by the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic, Tunas, in 1966.
On public-private partnerships, (PPPs), governments partner with private enterprises to invest in sustainable fishing practices, eco-tourism, and renewable marine energy. These partnerships can provide funding and innovative technologies.
Also, involving local communities in decision-making ensures that initiatives reflect their needs and knowledge. Programs often focus on sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation efforts, empowering local stakeholders.
In the area of research and academia, partnerships with universities and research institutions facilitate data collection and analysis essential for informed policy-making.
Collaborative research initiatives help address local challenges such as biodiversity loss and overfishing.
Engagement with international organizations (like the UN, IMO, ILO, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and NGOs enhances funding opportunities, technical support, and the sharing of best practices for sustainable marine management.
Capacity building training programs for local communities, fishermen, and government officials are vital for fostering skills in sustainable practices, marine resource management, and conservation efforts.
Collaborative efforts to share technology can also enhance the monitoring of marine resources, improve fishing practices, and support the management of marine- protected areas while innovations such as satellite tracking and data analytics play a significant role.
Partnerships focused on climate resilience, helping coastal communities adapt to changing environmental conditions, and integrating ecosystem-based approaches into development planning are also germaine.
Sound policies are crucial to a sustainable blue economy while proper collaboration of all stakeholders ensures that good policies are formed to drive the economy.
“There can be no successful impact of the blue economy without a strong
ennforcement drive. The exploitation and exploration of the oceans have the potential to have a great impact on the nation’s revenue and GDP.
” However, the ocean faces multiple challenges due to increasing pressure from human actions and impacts, e.g. over-exploration, over-exploitation, plastic pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification, etc. These actions and many more are a clear contravention of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, he advised.
Restoring sanity in the maritime domain requires responsible operators mostly achievable through ‘enforcement’.
Enforcement could be through a
review of the constitution,
the Merchant Shipping Act and other related acts and regulations.
Strong legal backing with reward and consequence management,
empowerment of law enforcement agencies with clear delineation of powers and authority (Coast Guard, Marine Police, Navy, and others),
strong regulatory authorities, Flag State, Port State, Revenue and Licensing authorities also have critical roles to play.
Silo mentality, he stated, will lead nowhere. It is therefore important to dwell on interdependence which has been time-tested.
“We grew up hearing the adage ‘the sky is wide enough for all stars to shine,’ but today I will implore you all to rephrase it to ‘the sea is wide enough for all stars to shine and glow.’
Capt Umoren called for attention on business growth and investment opportunities. Nations should also act responsibly as they focus on SDG 14 – sustainable ocean use (the Blue Economy).
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include 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; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoANLCA Harps on Responsible Reportage, Pledges Support for New MARAN Exco,
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoREPORTER’S DIARY: How Lagos State Task Force Made Me ‘Igbobi Landlord’ For Filming Operatives Extorting Suspected ‘Okada’ Operators In Apapa*
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoComptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
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Maritime Agencies6 days agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoNew MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoPorts Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.