As the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) celebrates its 34th anniversary of robust reportage of the maritime sector on November 28th 2022 in Lagos, industry stakeholders will converge to examine the nation’s 16-year seaports concession regime.
MARAN, an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), is the foremost maritime media association which was formed in November 1988 and it has remained the umbrella body of all journalists posted to cover or report the activities of the nation’s shipping and allied businesses.
According to a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by Chairman Planning Committee of MARAN 34th Anniversary and Awards, Mr Dapo Olawuni, the Association has lined up activities to celebrate this landmark event, which includes the conferment of Awards of Excellence on some notable corporate bodies and individuals that have greatly impacted positively on the growth and development of the maritime industry.
The theme for the anniversary is “16-YEARS OF PORT CONCESSION: THE PAINS AND THE GAINS” and these issues will be dissected by critical stakeholders and speakers at the event in a bid to proffer the headway for the country.
Stakeholders expected to grace the occasion are; Minister of Transportation, Engr. Muazu Jaji Sambo; former Chairman of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi; Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho; Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammed Bello-Koko; the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh.
Others are; former President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu; Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col Hameed Ali; Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa; Principal Partner, Jean-Chiazor and Partners, Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN); the Iyalaje Kano, Hajia Bola Muse; among others.
The Award/Gala Night is slated for 28th November 2022 at the prestigious Sheraton hotel, Ikeja Lagos.
According to the statement “it is instructive to note that MARAN Awards come once in a decade as the last edition was held in December 2013. The association was deliberate in making the Anniversary and Award ceremony a decade-long one to infuse integrity and nobility into the Awards, a radical departure from others.”
The association also plans to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the need to further review the port concession era, and to examine the opportunities posed by the building of new ports, especially the much celebrated Lekki Deep Seaport.