Worried by the myriad of challenges in the Nigerian maritime sector, The Maritime and Offshore Award (The OMIS) is dedicating the 2023 edition to address perennial industry problems via a technical summit.
The OMIS, an annual event that recognizes and celebrates excellence in the maritime industry in Nigeria, has announced the inclusion of a technical summit in this year’s edition.
According to the organizers, the summit which is also in celebration of the World Maritime Day (WMD) by International Maritime Organization (IMO) and scheduled to take place on September 23 at Lagos Oriental Hotel by 12noon prompt, aims to bring together prominent maritime experts, industry leaders and regulators, and other stakeholders to collaboratively address the pressing challenges confronting the nation’s maritime industry while formulating innovative solutions.
The theme of this inaugural summit which is powered by Prime Atlantic Safety Services and Hybrid Group is “Safety and Security in Maritime”.
“The technical summit is a pivotal addition to The OMIS Award this year,” said Mr. Femi Da-silva, the Chief Executive Officer of The OMIS.
While appreciating the laudable efforts of industry regulators, he opined that convening experts and stakeholders in the maritime industry will foster a collective approach towards tackling the challenges and driving the industry forward.
Da-silva noted that the summit will be moderated by Dr. Alban Igwe, Member, United Nations Advisory Committee on Trade and Transport.
Panelists expected at the event to share their expertise and insights are representatives of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Navy, TotalEnergies, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Others are Dr Ken Ukaoha, President, the National Association of Nigerian Traders; Prince Olayiwola Shittu, former President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman, Starzs Investments, among others.
As the maritime industry plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy, and faces several complex challenges, including maritime security, technological advancements, sustainability, and regulatory compliance, the organizers hope that the technical summit will facilitate productive discussions and innovative problem-solving strategies.
“We anticipate that the technical summit will not only shed light on the challenges but also pave the way for transformative solutions. The collective expertise of the participants will be instrumental in driving positive change,” Da-silva posited.
He equally stressed that the summit will also provide networking opportunities for attendees to establish new partnerships and collaborations to foster a stronger maritime community in Nigeria.
Interested participants can register for the event through The OMIS website.