Maritime Agencies
MARAN LEADERS APPRECIATION NIGHT: Iheanacho, Integrated Oil and Gas Boss, Urges Maritime Journalists To Invest in Knowledge
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
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.
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.
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.
He insisted that Nigeria needs a maritime media that is fearless but fair; critical but constructive; independent but informed; energetic but disciplined.”
“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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“During periods of reform, responsible reporting can also help the public distinguish genuine progress from mere announcements”, he added.
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.
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.”
On stakeholder mobilization, he charged the media to provide a platform where government, private investors, regulators, operators and indeed, all stakeholders move in alignment.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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 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 Agencies1 week agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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