By Ambrose Obioma Okehi (News Emperor)
Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN, the oldest maritime beat association in Nigeria has moved the date of its Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) earlier scheduled to take place on Thursday October 22, 2923 to a new date. This time around the lecture will take place on Thursday November 29, 2023.
The annual lecture which comes up with a titled: “Maritime Security: Emerging Threats and Actionable Steps,” is meant to focus on issues on maritime Security and crime. It is also targeted at proffering long-term, sustainable solutions to security threats in Gulf of Guinea will now take place on Wednesday 29, 2023 at Rockview Hotel Apapa, Lagos.
In a press statement issued by the great association and signed by its President of MARAN, Godfrey Bivbere, it was noted that the 2023 MAMAL would effectively address maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region and protect seafaring and fishing communities in the affected countries.
The president of the association equally identified and commends the collaborative initiatives and efforts of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA as lead maritime agency as well as other maritime organisations in the maritime sector which had led to a significant reduction in piracy incidents in Nigerian waters and the GoG throughout 2022.
The association however acknowledged the simple fact that the establishment of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum for the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (GOG-MCF/SHADE) has enabled stakeholders within and outside the region to connect and discuss frequently how best to tackle piracy in the area and this had yielded verifiable results.
According to Mr. Bivbere, the Special Guest of Honour at the event will be the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola while the Keynote Speaker will be the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh.
Other speakers slated to speak or present papers at the MARAN’S inuagural lecture will include former NIMASA DG, Barr Temisan Omatseye, Alhaji Aminu Umar, President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS); Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Capt Waredi Eniosuo
Other key stakeholders expected to participate at the event will include: Shipowners, NIMASA as a lead maritme agency, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Navy, Shipping Lines, Terminal Operators, and major seafarers’ organisations are all expected to grace this epoch-making event.
Other dignitaries who would equally grace the occasion include: Chief Isaac Jolapamo, President General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyunju, former Minister and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Genesis Worldwide Shipping, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chairman of Starz Group, Greg Ogbeifun, the Nigeria Ship Owners Association, NISA, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN among others.