By Mina Ojelabi
Maritime stakeholders, media professionals and regulators converged in Lagos on Tuesday as First Mediacon Network Limited marked the 10th anniversary of its Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists with the launch of the Centre for Maritime Media & Capacity Development, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening professionalism and relevance in maritime reporting.
Welcoming participants at the event held at BWC Hotel, Victoria Island, the Chief Executive Officer of First Mediacon Network Limited, Sesan Onileimo, described the seminar as a decade-long success story built on sustained collaboration and capacity building.
Onileimo acknowledged the consistent support of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), noting that the seminar has, over the years, become a key performance benchmark for the Council’s public relations engagement. He paid tribute to past and present leadership of the NSC, including former Executive Secretary Hassan Bello and the incumbent Chief Executive Officer, Pius Akutah, for sustaining the vision.
He announced that, in fulfillment of a pledge made at the 9th edition, the newly launched Centre for Maritime Media & Capacity Development will henceforth take over the organization of the annual seminar, while also running year-round manpower development programmes for maritime journalists and content creators.
“The maritime media space is evolving rapidly under the pressure of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and social media. This Centre is our bold response to ensure journalists remain knowledgeable, relevant and impactful, regardless of how long they have been on the beat,” Onileimo said, adding that the Centre is open to partnerships with industry stakeholders for greater impact.
Delivering the keynote address, Akutah described the 10th anniversary as a milestone not only for maritime journalism but for the Nigerian maritime industry at large. He commended the organisers for sustaining a platform that has promoted dialogue, accountability and professional growth for a decade.
He stressed that a strong maritime sector cannot thrive without a knowledgeable and ethical media, urging journalists to deepen sectoral expertise, embrace digital tools and uphold accuracy and integrity in reporting. According to him, misinformation within the maritime space could undermine investor confidence, policy direction and economic stability.
Akutah reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to open communication and collaboration with the media, noting that maritime journalists remain critical partners in promoting transparency, efficiency and competitiveness within Nigeria’s port and shipping environment.
The event also featured technical sessions exclusively for maritime journalists, including discussions on the National Single Window project, which is scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026.
The seminar concluded with a renewed call for other maritime agencies and industry players to emulate the capacity-building initiatives of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Nigeria Customs Service, in order to strengthen the quality and credibility of maritime journalism in Nigeria.
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