The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) established its in-house magazine named ‘Maritime Labour Voice’ to promote harmonious working environment that will stimulate industrial peace and represent the voice of the voiceless, the President General of the union, Prince Adewale Adeyanju has disclosed.
Speaking at the launching of the magazine on Wednesday at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, Comrade Adeyanju stated that the
the new publication is the outcome of the collective dream of the leaders and members of the union.
He noted that Nigeria is a maritime nation blessed with valuable water resources that contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of food, mineral resources and marine transport.
He advised the government to address threats posed by the reckless use of the oceans, saying that this must have led to the creation of the Blue Economy ministry.
The Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup,
commended the initiative to establish the magazine as timely as it will enable the sector to understand the maritime workers better.
Haastrup lauded MWUN for being consistent in contributing immensely to the growth of the Maritime sector.
She expressed her appreciation to Comrade Adeyanju for his leadership style of negotiation and pledged her support to the union.
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, described the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry as a game changer in Nigeria as its importance cannot be over-emphasized.
Represented by Mrs Sarah Bala, he commended the MWUN for the novel initiative in floating the magazine, emphasizing on the sustainable approaches and diligence to keep the publication running.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) representative, Comrade Hauwa Mohammed, who delivered a speech on the topic: “Mid-streaming Labour Rights and Climate Justice in a Blue Economy,” observed that the world has been going through economic crisis in the past 30 years alongside climate change which is the exploitation of the resources of the land.
Mohammed recalled that before now, black gold was the major economy in the world but now the world is about to explore the opportunities inherent in the waters for the blue economy.
She advocated utilizing the Maritime Labour magazine for education about maritime issues as well as partnering with institutions that can help with researches around implications of governmental policies and answering questions on how the actions of government will affect the Blue Economy.
A number of dignitaries graced the unveiling of the magazine even as the NLC strike action was still in force.
PHOTO: President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju (2nd from right) and Chairperson of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN),Princess Vicky Haastrup (3rd from right) display the Maritime Labour Voice Magazine in Lagos on Wednesday.