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As part of efforts to preserve the marine environment and livelihoods of coastal communities in the nation, maritime experts have called for more investment in waterways and sustainable planning for riverine environs.
This was one of the major appeals during the 3rd EHINGBETI Maritime Hub themed: “The Renaissance of Ehingbeti in Community Engagement and Inclusivity,” organised by Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF) in Lagos on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion, General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd), called for intentional investment and people-centric policies to protect coastal communities and their fishing livelihood.
While calling for a policy shift toward economic sovereignty in Nigeria’s maritime sector, he encouraged stakeholders to draw lessons from global models as seen in Singapore, India, and Washington in managing sustainable and inclusive ocean economies.
He, however, commended the organizers for reviving the spirit of Ehingbeti, once the heartbeat of Lagos’ maritime prosperity, and creatively linking its rich historical legacy with the modern global vision of the Blue Economy.
Olanrewaju recalled the glorious Ehingbeti era, when trade and commerce flourished through vibrant waterways, transforming Lagos into West Africa’s leading economic hub, saying “Ti oju o bati Ehingbeti, oju ole ti Eko” meaning “If Ehingbeti loses its shine, Lagos loses its glory” once captured the city’s economic lifeblood driven by maritime enterprise.
Also speaking, the Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engr. Sarat Braimah, called on the Federal Government and private sector investors to significantly scale up investments in Nigeria’s inland waterways, stressing that such action is crucial to unlocking the nation’s blue economy potential and transforming the lives of millions in coastal communities.
Braimah posited that waterways remain central to the economic and social livelihood of communities surrounded by water.
She noted that despite the enormous potential, Nigeria still lags behind global peers in harnessing its inland water resources for transport, trade, and local development.
“There are a lot of potentials in inland waterways, and that is why the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made a special ministry known as the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry,” she said.
Pointing out that Nigeria boasts 28 littoral states interconnected by navigable waters, with 5 West African countries also accessible via its inland waterways; Braimah argued that this geographical advantage presents a huge opportunity for inter-regional trade and sustainable transport – if backed by the right level of investment.
“Our leaders must not only invest in projects that can be seen immediately, but also in those that have lasting impact like; river dredging, which will open up communities, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth,” she remarked.
During her welcome address, the Convener of the EHINGBETI Maritime Hub and President of Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF), Hon. Olaitan Williams, described the event as “a significant milestone in the collective pursuit of harnessing the vast potential of our ocean resources in a sustainable and inclusive manner”.
Olaitan emphasized the need to place coastal communities at the heart of policy creation and implementation, lamenting that despite the riches accruing from maritime, coastal communities house some of the poorest citizens.
Reflecting on the EHINGBETI journey so far, she highlighted two landmark achievements — the production of an audio-visual documentary and a book chronicling the historical significance of Ehingbeti — as tangible outcomes of the hub’s past efforts to bridge history and contemporary blue economy practices.
In an impassioned keynote address, Prof. Adele Jinadu, highlighted the painful gap between government claims of economic progress and the harsh realities faced by millions of Nigerians still deprived of basic services such as clean water, education, and healthcare.
His words: “We hear about GDP growth, but are we developing the human beings we should be developing?”
He decried the complacency that has allowed corrupt practices and ineffective leadership to flourish, urging citizens to organize and defend their votes, rather than passively witnessing “business as usual.”
Reflecting on experiences across Nigeria and beyond, he pointed to rising insecurity, broken infrastructures, and growing disillusionment with political processes that often exclude ordinary people’s voices, especially those in coastal communities.
Jinadu stressed that true reform requires inclusive governance that centers on the public interest and national unity, not division or elite interests.
Also speaking, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, Telade IV, the Alara of Ilara kingdom, applauded the Ocean Ambassadors Foundation for its continued advocacy for maritime studies in schools and its commitment to empowering the girl child, noting that education and equity remain “the twin pillars of meaningful progress.”
The event was graced by several maritime bigwigs including; the Secretary General, African Shipowners Association, Funmi Folorunso; the Secretary General of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU), Capt. Sunday Umoren; Principal Partner, Jean Chiazor and Partners, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere SAN; President, Women in Maritime Organisations of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), Barr. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore; President of Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Capt. Tajudeen Alao; the mother of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mrs. Winifred Layiwola Ogundimu (née Savage).
Others were; Director, International Ocean Institute (IOI) Nigeria Centre, Dr. Akanbi Williams; President, African Women in Maritime (WIMA) Nigerian chapter, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy; former Port Manager, Apapa Port, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu; among others.
