By Tunde Ojudun
In a groundbreaking initiative within the maritime journalism industry, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has unveiled plans to honor its past presidents—men whose dedication, sacrifices, and vision transformed the association into a formidable voice in maritime reporting.
According to a press statement signed by Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tunde Ayodele, and Organising Committee Chairman, Funso Olojo, the event will take place at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, on April 24, 2026, at 3:00 pm.
Ayodele emphasized that the celebration is not only a recognition of living past leaders but also a tribute to four departed presidents, whose families have been invited to receive posthumous awards in their honour.
“As an organization which values the contributions of its leaders, MARAN is celebrating its past Presidents for their vision, passion, zeal, tenacity of purpose, sacrifices,resilience and persistence in the face of adversity and daunting challenges that have shaped the association into the foremost and
formidable group of Journalists in the maritime industry” Ayodele declared.
He disclosed that the coming event is coming at the appropriate time when one of our past Presidents, Dr Bolaji Akinola, gained ascendency in his professional career, when he was appointed as the Special Adviser on Communications to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
” The career advancement of Dr Bolaji gladdens our heart at MARAN for being one of the past presidents of this great association and there isn’t a better platform than this event to show appreciation to the Honourable Minister for finding one of our own worthy as one of his special aides” the MARAN Chairman enthused.