The General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ikechukwu Onyeamakara, has called on maritime journalists to embrace responsible and developmental journalism that will positively showcase Nigeria’s maritime industry to the international community.
Onyeamakara made the appeal on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, while receiving the three-man Caretaker Committee of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), led by its Chairman, Tunde Ayodele, at the NPA headquarters in Lagos.
Emphasising journalism ethics such as balance, accuracy and factual reporting, the NPA spokesperson cautioned against negative portrayals of the maritime sector, stressing that such reports yield no meaningful benefits. He urged practitioners to adopt a more constructive reporting approach, especially as Nigeria prepares for elections into the Category C Council seat of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
According to Onyeamakara, positive and responsible reportage will enhance Nigeria’s image globally, potentially strengthening support from international maritime nations.
“In other climes, journalists do not project the negative sides of their countries, regardless of the challenges. We must learn from this and promote the positives of our maritime industry,” he said.
Tunde Ayodele Chairman Caretaker Committee Maran with NPA Communications Manager Onyeamakara
He commended MARAN as the oldest and most reputable journalists’ body in the maritime sector, acknowledging its long-standing reputation and contribution to industry development. Onyeamakara added that the NPA values a united front among maritime reporters’ associations, noting that their work significantly influences global perceptions of Nigeria’s maritime space.
He underscored the importance of developmental journalism to the success of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, insisting that the media plays a critical role in shaping international perception.
“Maritime is a global industry, and whatever journalists write has a strong impact on how the world views our country,” he noted.
Onyeamakara assured MARAN of the NPA’s continued support and urged the Caretaker Committee to ensure the emergence of credible leadership in the association’s forthcoming elections.
“The leaders you elect will determine the future of MARAN. You must be deliberate and careful to preserve the legacies of the founding members,” he advised.
Responding, Ayodele expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed MARAN’s commitment to supporting the NPA in repositioning the maritime industry. He noted that the recent reorganization within the association was aimed at strengthening its operations and sustaining its role as the flagship media body in the sector.
Ayodele further pledged that MARAN would uphold the principles of developmental journalism and remain open to partnerships with stakeholders to help build a more robust shipping industry.
He also invited the NPA management to the association’s upcoming book launch scheduled for December 4, 2025, in Lagos—a gesture to which Onyeamakara responded positively, promising that the Authority would be duly represented.
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