The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) is set to hold the 2021 edition of her Annual Conference/Awards slated for Friday, November 19th, 2021 at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel Ikeja in Lagos.
According to a statement signed by AMJON Secretary, Segun Oladipupo, “the theme of the Conference which is poised to be the biggest of its type in the maritime industry, is ‘Seamless Port Operations in Nigeria’.”
The President of AMJON, Mr. Paul Ogbuokiri said the post COVID-19 edition of the event has been repackaged to be the biggest to be held by the vibrant Nigerian Maritime press this year.
“The topic is apt because it is set to unravel and proffer solutions to the myriads of bottlenecks bedeviling the industry’s full potentials.” He noted.
The Chairman Organising Committee, Innocent Orok also disclosed that the event will bring together the who – is – who in the maritime industry as well as the allied transport and logistics chain sub-sectors.
“The event will also honour deserving and patriotic Nigerians who are working hard to reposition and change the narratives in the Nigeria maritime economy. The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi who is the Guest of Honour will declare the two-day event open, while President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike, has graciously accepted to chair the occasion.” Orok said.
He further disclosed that the event would feature paper presentations by Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Government agencies and Organisations including; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Grimaldi Group and Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, among others.
According to the Chairman Organising Committee, the high point of this year’s event would be the Award ceremony and launching of the AMJON Express Magazine, a Special Purpose publication packaged by topnotch professionals in the Association led by the award winning Maritime/Energy journalist, Muyiwa Lucas, who is the Editorial Production Committee Chairman and Uzor Odigbo, an Editor at the Niche Newspaper who is the Editor of the magazine.
Orok said the Magazine would be collector’s item and reference material for Maritime Journalists and research material for students. He noted that prominent industry figures who, despite enormous challenges are recording giant strides, will be honoured at the event.
According to the statement, the Awardees include: DG of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh; Acting MD of NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko; DG of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim; Rector of MAN, Oron, Comdr. Emmanuel Effedua and Gbenga Omotosho, Honourable Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Lagos State.
Others are, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta of Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Festus Okun of PTML, Command, Comptroller Immigration, Ikoyi Passport Office, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Engr. Sarat Braimah, Lagos Area Manager NIWA, Tarzan Balogun, President ATBOWATON, Dr Koyode Farinto, National Vice President ANLCA, Alhaji Abdulazeez Babatunde, National Secretary ANLCA, Hajia Bola Muse, National Financial Secretary, ANLCA and Segun Alabi, President, Advocacy for Maritime Development Association as well as PTML terminal, ICNL, MMA and ONNE Chapters of ANLCA.
Meanwhile, the president of AMJON, Paul Ogbuokiri, has called on stakeholders in the industry to endevour to participate in the upcoming one – of – its – kind event as issues concerning the industry will be dissected on sector by sector basis and way forward proffered for the Nigerian maritime economy with a communique issued at the end of the programme.
“As the Nigerian maritime is seen as the unharnessed low hanging fruits for the President Mohammadu Buhari’ administration’s economy diversification vision, away from its current state where oil & gas which is a diminishing asset is the mainstay of the economy, the hands of all stakeholders must be on deck to ensure that the maritime sector starts live up to its potentials.” Ogbuokiri said.
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