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The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate its newly elected Executive Council on June 23, 2026, in Lagos, with a strong focus on promoting ethical journalism as a catalyst for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The inauguration ceremony, scheduled to hold at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, is expected to attract a broad spectrum of stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors.
Organisers say the event, themed “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development,” will serve as a platform for dialogue on the role of responsible reporting in advancing transparency, accountability, and development within the nation’s maritime ecosystem.
President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, will chair the occasion, while renowned public relations and event management expert, Bolaji Abimbola, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
Several high-ranking government officials and industry leaders have been invited as Special Guests of Honour, including the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
Also expected at the event are heads of maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarding groups, industry associations, and other key players across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a significant milestone in the association’s efforts to strengthen professionalism and credibility in maritime journalism.
According to him, the newly elected executive council is committed to repositioning MARAN as a more influential voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and strict adherence to ethical reporting standards.
He noted that ethical journalism remains critical to ensuring accurate coverage of developments in the maritime industry and fostering constructive discourse that supports sectoral growth.
“The maritime industry plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s economic development, and ethical journalism is essential for promoting informed engagement, transparency, and accountability across the sector,” Onigbinde said.
He further urged government agencies, industry operators, and media professionals to support initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime journalism and contributing to the success of Nigeria’s blue economy agenda.
The inauguration will formally usher in the new MARAN leadership, which is expected to steer the association towards greater relevance and impact within the maritime industry.
The event is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
