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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎In a high-stakes bid to secure a dominant position in intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho says the Federal Government is already stepping up an overhaul of the nation’s port system.
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‎Addressing industry stakeholders in Lagos, Dantsoho described port modernisation as a critical economic imperative that will shape Nigeria’s competitiveness in a rapidly integrating continental market.
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‎With AfCFTA lowering trade barriers across Africa, he warned that countries with faster, more efficient and technology-driven ports will capture a disproportionate share of cargo traffic and investment flows.
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‎“Nigeria’s geographical advantage alone is no longer sufficient,” he said.
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‎“Efficiency, speed, innovation and reliability will define leadership in this new era.”
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‎At the core of the NPA’s strategy is a broad reform programme targeting long-standing structural bottlenecks that have historically weakened Nigeria’s port competitiveness.
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‎Dantsoho highlighted ongoing infrastructure upgrades at Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, aimed at improving berth productivity, expanding capacity and reducing vessel turnaround time—key indicators of port efficiency.
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‎He also underscored the growing role of deep seaports, particularly Lekki Port, in transforming Nigeria’s maritime landscape by accommodating larger vessels and boosting cargo throughput.
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‎Industry observers view these developments as crucial to easing congestion at legacy ports while positioning Nigeria to handle rising trade volumes expected under AfCFTA.
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‎Beyond physical infrastructure, the NPA is accelerating a shift toward digitalisation to tackle inefficiencies associated with manual processes and fragmented systems.
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‎Central to this transition is the Port Community System (PCS), alongside the Federal Government’s National Single Window initiative, both designed to integrate port stakeholders, streamline documentation and enhance transparency.
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‎Experts say full implementation could significantly cut cargo clearance times and reduce the cost of doing business—longstanding concerns among importers and exporters.
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‎Operational reforms are also underway, focusing on reducing cargo dwell time, improving service delivery and ensuring faster clearance processes across terminals.
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‎In parallel, the NPA is strengthening multimodal connectivity to support seamless cargo evacuation.
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‎Rail integration, inland dry ports, barging operations and dedicated export corridors are being expanded to decongest seaports and improve nationwide logistics efficiency.
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‎Dantsoho stressed that without efficient hinterland connectivity, gains made at the ports would be difficult to sustain.
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‎Recognising the scale of investment required, the NPA is also deepening partnerships with private sector investors and global operators to drive sustainable growth and align Nigeria’s ports with international standards.
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‎The expected impact of these reforms is significant: faster operations, lower logistics costs, increased trade volumes, higher government revenue and improved export competitiveness.
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‎Analysts note that efficient ports could play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s economic diversification drive, particularly by supporting non-oil exports and industrial expansion.
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‎In his concluding remarks, Dantsoho framed the Federal Government’s reform agenda as a decisive shift from inefficiency to performance, expressing confidence that Nigeria can emerge as a preferred maritime gateway to West Africa.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho, former Minister of Interior and Managing Director, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, has urged maritime journalists in Nigeria to invest deeply in knowledge so as to enable them understand shipping economics, study regulation, learn the language of trade, interrogate data, verify facts and protect credibility.
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‎Iheanacho who gave this counsel in Lagos, Friday, while delivering a paper entitled, “The Role of the Media in Sustainable Maritime Development in Nigeria”, during an event to celebrate past Presidents of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN  reminded media professionals that theirs is not merely a reporting profession but a strategic national assignment, hence the need for them to be on top of their game in reporting the sector.
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‎Speaking through Dr Emeka Alabogu SAN, Principal Partner, Akabogu & Associates, Iheanacho argued that where the media is responsible, informed and courageous, industries progress faster adding that where reporting is careless, shallow, or easily swayed, progress becomes harder.
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‎He insisted that Nigeria needs a maritime media that is fearless but fair; critical but constructive; independent but informed; energetic but disciplined.”
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‎“I am particularly pleased to speak to you not only as a guest, but as someone whose life has been deeply intertwined with the Nigerian maritime industry for close to five decades.
‎“Over those years, I have had the privilege of serving in different capacities as an operator in the private sector, as a promoter of shipping and maritime enterprise, as chairman of industry associations and collaborative initiatives, and at another stage, as a Minister of the Federal Republic.
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‎“Those experiences have given me a unique vantage point. I have seen how responsible journalism can support reform, encourage investment, correct misinformation, and build confidence.
‎“I have also seen how incomplete facts, sensationalism, insufficient technical understanding, or avoidable haste can damage reputations, distort policy debates, and slow progress.
‎“It is from that practical perspective, not theory alone, that I speak today on ‘The Role of the Media in Sustainable Maritime Development in Nigeria.”
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‎Acknowledging that Nigeria’s maritime sector sits at the intersection of trade, energy, logistics, food security, industrialization, and regional competitiveness, he charged the journalists saying, “Your words can attract confidence or discourage it, your questions can trigger reform or expose complacency, your analysis can clarify choices or deepen confusion.
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‎“Therefore, invest deeply in knowledge. Understand shipping economics. Study regulation. Learn the language of trade. Interrogate data. Verify facts. Protect credibility. The more technically competent maritime journalism becomes, the more powerful its contribution to development”, he declared.
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‎The former Minister who practically listed four primary functions of the media to include: agenda setting, accountability, public education and stakeholder mobilization, however, called on the journalists to live up to expectations by constantly ensuring that they follow issues beyond the headline and accompany policy until results are delivered.
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‎On accountability, he urged media practitioners to always ensure that they play the watchdog role by exposing administrative bottlenecks, corruption risks, policy contradictions, operational inefficiencies and delays that impose costs on businesses and consumers alike.
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‎“During periods of reform, responsible reporting can also help the public distinguish genuine progress from mere announcements”, he added.
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‎Highlighting why public education is one of the noblest functions of maritime journalism, Iheanacho explained that shipping, marine insurance, vessel finance, customs systems, port concessioning, cabotage, freight logistics, international conventions are specialised subjects, yet they affect ordinary Nigerians every day through prices, jobs, trade flows, and national competitiveness.
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‎He however, pointed out that more needs to be done saying, “We need: simpler explanations of policy reforms, more data-driven reporting, wider coverage of inland waterways and coastal economies, greater promotion of maritime education and skills development as well as more rigorous accountability from persons in position of government authority to track policy, budget and outcomes. Nigeria cannot build a strong blue economy with a poorly informed public.”
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‎On stakeholder mobilization, he charged the media to provide a platform where government, private investors, regulators, operators and indeed, all stakeholders move in alignment.
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‎“The media has helped bring regulators and operators into dialogue, amplify urgent policy concerns, encourage transparency in reforms, build confidence around investment opportunities and ensure that important conversations are not hidden from the public.
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‎“In several instances, issues that might have remained trapped within committee rooms gained traction because journalists carried them into the national conversation. Yet mobilisation can be stronger still.
‎“Too often, conferences end with excellent speeches but limited follow-through. The media can help by tracking commitments, revisiting promises, and sustaining momentum after the applause has ended”, Iheanacho submitted.
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‎Speaking on the reason for the gathering, the retired Merchant Navy Captain commended MARAN for sustaining a tradition of professional engagement in a sector that is both vital to the economy and often insufficiently understood by the wider public.
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‎“To celebrate your past presidents is to celebrate stewardship, sacrifice, and continuity. Leadership in journalism, especially sector journalism is not easy. It demands courage, persistence, judgement, and often the willingness to stand alone in defence of facts.
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‎“As we honour the past presidents of MARAN tonight, we honour those who helped build that tradition. May the next generation build it even stronger. And may all of us – operators, regulators, policymakers, and journalists work together to create a maritime sector that is efficient, transparent, globally competitive, and sustainable for generations to come”, he said.
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‎By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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‎Glitz, bliss and glamour reigned when the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), hosted its past presidents to an appreciation reception at the Rockview hotel, Apapa Lagos.
‎The pioneer maritime reporters body showcased its 13 past leaders who had toiled and sweated to build the association into a formidable group of maritime journalists that has over the years shaped government policies and programmes in the maritime industry.
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‎An idea of the reception which started like the proverbial mustard seed was sown by the present Tunde Ayodele-led Caretaker Committee of the association when it was tabled at the Association’ s Congress meeting in January, 2026.
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‎According to Ayodele, his caretaker committee was inspired to organize a befitting reception for the past presidents, given their sacrifices, passion, patriotism and sheer resilience they had displayed to berth a MARAN that was the progenitor of all other journalists association in the maritime industry.
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‎”When my team and I assumed responsibility as the caretaker committee, one of our foremost priorities was to reconnect with our roots by honouring these great men.
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‎”This event was not just a celebration; it was  a reminder that their labour was not in vain.
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‎”Nearly four decades later, MARAN remains strong, relevant, and growing.
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‎”We recognise that the wisdom, experience, and guidance of our past leaders are invaluable” Ayodele said, giving an insight into what motivated its committee to organize the reception.
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‎So they tapped on a five- man Organising committee led by Funso Olojo, the Chairman of Board of Trustees (BOT) of MARAN, to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.
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‎So, the Organising committee, which also consisted of John Iwori, Enyeribe Anyanwu, Ruth Umunna, and Sandra Chkwunyere, set to work, toiling day and night to organize the most befitting reception for the past leaders of the association.
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‎On April 24th, 2026, the past presidents of MARAN, for the first time in the 38 years of the establishment of the association, gathered together under the same roof where they were unveiled to the stakeholders in the industry.
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‎It was a night of glowing tributes, good will messages and effusive show of love to the men and woman of valor who built and nurtured MARAN to stardom.
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‎The roll call was intimidating and inspiring.
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‎Rev. Alban Opara, the Minister of God in His vineyard and the pioneer President of MARAN, Elder ASU Beks,  an enigmatic media mogul who is the CEO of Maritime Media Limited, the publisher of the influential Shipping World and the one commonly called the God Father, Barrister Tino Buoro, a legal luminary and expert in Arbitration law, Ubon Akpan, now late but a colossus in the media world, Emmanuel Adegbe, now late who was also a force to be reckoned with in journalism  and  Pius Mordi, the  Media Aide to the Governor of Delta. state.
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‎Others were  Ray Ugochukwu, now late , the two – terms President of MARAN, the first ever person to achieve such a rare feat . He was also an erudite journalist.
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‎Sesan Onilemo, another brilliant and consummate journalist who is the CEO of First Mediacon Media Limited, the publisher of the influencial Shipping position Newspaper and producer of Shipping position on radio, Dele Aderibigbe, another fearless journalist who is the pioneer and current Chairman of the Nigeria National Maritime Journalists(NNMJ),  the confederation of six maritime journalists associations in the maritime industry, Adeleye Ajayi, a retired Director at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the current two- term Chairman of Lagos council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ), Dr Bolaji Akinola, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Ifeyinwa Obi, now late who was a humanist, passionate and committed welfarist who was a crack journalist.
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‎The last but not the least on the roll call of MARAN past presidents celebrated on that night of glitz was Anya Njoku, a fiery and fearless journalist.
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‎However, the deceased past presidents were represented by their dear wives and family friends and members.
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‎While Mrs Nneka Rosemary Ugochukwu stood for her late husband, Ray Ugochukwu, Mrs Paulina Adegbe and her two adorable daughters stood in for her late husband, Emmanuel Adegbe.
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‎Mr Frank Meke, a seasoned journalist, represented the family of late Ubong Akpan as the wife of the deceased was away on a family engagement.
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‎By and large, it was a night to remember as MARAN, in an unprecedented way, honoured the labour of its heroes past to ensure that they did not labour in vain.
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‎The event attracted a large assemblage of stakeholders, consisting maritime agencies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, technocrats ,academia and well wishers of MARAN and the Awardees.
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‎In their  reactions to the unexpected appreciation night, some of the Awardees expressed their heartfelt gratitude to MARAN, the organisers of the event.
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‎The wives of two of the deceased past presidents, Mrs Nneka Rosemary Ugochukwu and Paulina Adegbe, delivered moving messages of gratitude to MARAN.
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‎”With heartfelt appreciation, the family of Ugochukwu sincerely appreciate the Maritime Reporters association of Nigeria (MARAN) for the honor bestowed on my late husband, Ray Ugochukwu, your former president.
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‎”Though he is no longer here, your thoughtful recognition of his leadership through the love, honor and respect showed is really comforting to us .
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‎”Thank you for keeping his memory alive.
‎We are truly grateful for this kind gesture.
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‎”Thank you Chairman, caretaker committee.
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‎”Thank you Chairman, organizing committee.
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‎”Thank you Maritime Reporters association of Nigeria.
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‎Thank you all stakeholders.
‎God bless you” Mrs Nneka Rosemary Ugochukwu said in an emotion- laden voice, tears welling up in her eyes.
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‎Mrs Paulina Adegbe was no less emotional in her message of appreciation for the honour done her late husband, Emmanuel Adegbe.
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‎”The family of late Emmanuel Adegbe sincerely wants to appreciate the organizers of the event held 24/4/2026 in honor of their past presidents living and the deceased.
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‎”Thank you Maritime Association of Nigeria (MARAN )for what you did, it was an amazing experience.
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‎”We pray for long life and success for the Association in the nearest future. Thank you once again.”
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‎At the rendition of these messages of appreciation, the audience fell into a solemn mood.
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‎The event, chaired by the legendary Engineer Greg Ogbeifun, was spiced by a thought- provoking seminar paper  by Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, the former Minister of Interior who spoke on the topic:The Role of Media in Sustainable Maritime Development.
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‎Rev. Alban Opara, the first MARAN President, took the awe- struck audience on a historical tour of the the creation of MARAN.
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‎Rev.Opara told the audience about the dramatic story of how MARAN was born on April 10th,1988 during the fraud- induced port congestion era of that year.
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‎He also listed the founding members of the historic nascent body of maritime journalists to include
‎Alban Opara – the Vanguard Newspaper, (Pioneer President),
‎Emeka Okoroanyanwu – The Guardian Newspaper ( Pioneer Vice president),
‎Friday Odoemena – The Republic Newspaper ( Pioneer General Secretary),
‎Remi itie – Radio Nigeria ( Pioneer Treasurer), later Maritime Economist)
‎Martin Nwanne – Daily Times Newspapers
‎Goke Odeyinka replaced Tunde Fabunmi – National Concord
‎Eddie Iroha – Business Times
‎Hanni Okoroafor –  Business Concord
‎News Agency of Nigeria, NAN Correspondence ( Name not available)
‎Rasheed Williams  – National Television Authority
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‎These are the men and woman that braved the odds and the intimidation of the military government of General Ibrahim Babamosi Babangida and the oppressive port authority of that period.
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‎It was a historical expedition that make the audience fall into a pin- drop silence while listening with rapt attention but later erupted in a spontaneous applause after the thrilling details of how MARAN was formed.
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‎The occasion afforded most MARAN members, especially the younger ones, many of who were still toddlers or were even not yet born at the creation of MARAN, to behold, flesh and blood, those men who were the forerunners of the association.
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‎The appreciation night was a night to remember which will be etched on the memory of all those who attended.
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