BY GODWIN OBI
In a compelling call to action, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has urged maritime agencies to step up their efforts in improving the welfare of journalists covering the sector.
Adeniyi’s impassioned plea came during an award ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, where he was honored with the prestigious “Iconic Maritime Personality of the Year 2024” accolade by maritime journalists. The dinner, an evening celebrating excellence in the maritime industry, set the stage for Adeniyi’s candid remarks on the unsung heroes of the sector—journalists.
“I’ve seen businesses in the maritime industry skyrocket, with entrepreneurs transitioning from small customs agents to industry giants, and that’s commendable,” Adeniyi said. “But as the industry grows, we cannot overlook the journalists who work tirelessly to tell the stories of this evolution. It’s time we place equal focus on their welfare.”
Reflecting on his own rise from a two-star public relations officer to the head of the Customs Service, Adeniyi emphasized the reciprocal relationship between journalists and maritime agencies. “Just as you’ve supported my journey, it’s only right that we support yours. Your welfare should be a priority for everyone involved in the maritime industry.”
A Call for Concrete Welfare Programs
Adeniyi’s speech took a decisive turn as he urged the journalists themselves to take charge of their own welfare, emphasizing the need for structured programs tailored to their specific needs.
“It’s clear that maritime journalists organize programs for the agencies they report on, but what about initiatives for yourselves?” he asked. “You need to start thinking about your own welfare too—insurance, housing schemes, the works.”
He proposed a groundbreaking idea: What if maritime journalists could band together to create an insurance fund and housing program that would enable them to not only report on the industry but also own homes of their own? Adeniyi insisted that such initiatives were not only possible but well within reach
“It’s not rocket science,” he declared. “The federal mortgage banks and other companies are already offering such schemes. What’s needed is unity—a collective front where maritime journalists can come together, raise seed funds, and make these dreams a reality.”
The Customs CG’s passionate plea for better journalist welfare struck a chord, suggesting that the time for change had come—and that change could start with the very people who write the stories
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