Nigeria’s maritime industry took centre stage in Lagos as leading stakeholders gathered to honour excellence in journalism and reflect on the sector’s progress, with glowing tributes paid to the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) for its impactful role over the decades.
At the event, key institutions including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) commended MARAN for its professionalism, objective reporting, and sustained engagement in the maritime sector.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, featured the recognition of MARAN’s past presidents for their contributions to maritime journalism and the growth of the association since its founding in 1988.
Those honoured include pioneer president Alban Opara, alongside Asu Beks, Adeleye Ajayi, Bolaji Akinola, Sesan Onileimo, Dele Aderibigbe, Valentino Buoro, Pius Mordi, and Anya Njoku.
Posthumous honours were also conferred on late figures such as Ray Ugochukwu, Ubong Akpan, and Ifeyinwa Obi, with their families receiving the awards.
In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Pius Akutah, described the occasion as a celebration of professionals who have significantly projected the maritime sector both locally and internationally. Represented by Austina Ogbonnaya, he noted that the honourees helped bridge the gap between government policies and public understanding.
He stressed that collaboration between regulators and the media remains vital to effective policy implementation and the protection of shippers’ interests.
“The role of the media in shaping perception, driving stakeholder engagement, and promoting sector reforms cannot be overstated,” he said.
Also speaking, former Minister of Interior and maritime expert Emmanuel Iheanacho, represented by Emeka Akabogwu, highlighted the strategic importance of the media in driving sustainable development, warning that inaccurate reporting could undermine investor confidence and distort policy direction.
He identified agenda-setting, accountability, public education, and stakeholder mobilisation as key roles of the media, urging journalists to adopt data-driven reporting and deepen their technical expertise.
Providing historical context, MARAN’s pioneer president, Alban Opara, recalled the association’s founding in 1988 during a period of port congestion and economic reforms, noting that early maritime journalists operated under challenging conditions but contributed to shaping policies such as the National Shipping Policy and Cabotage regime.
In a goodwill message, former Comptroller of Customs Usman Bello Kankara commended MARAN’s professionalism and longstanding support, noting that the association’s coverage contributed to his recognition as Best PRO of the Nigeria Customs Service in 1999.
Similarly, the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (Abuja MoU), represented by Engr. Richard Owolabi on behalf of Secretary-General Sunday Umoren, praised MARAN’s role in advancing transparency and maritime advocacy.
The organisation also recognised Bolaji Akinola as a key supporter of its initiatives and reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with MARAN to promote a safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable shipping environment across West and Central Africa.
The event underscored MARAN’s enduring influence in shaping discourse, strengthening accountability, and supporting policy development within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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