BY GODWIN OBI
The League of Maritime Editors and Publishers (LOME) has concluded plans to hold a seminar on the nation’s marine and blue economy.
The seminar which is targeted at x-raying the journey of the marine and blue economy in about one year of having a separate Ministry is the main focus of the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) holding on August 23, 2024, at Ikeja Airport Hotels in Lagos.
Industry issues such as achievements, challenges, roadmap for the development of the sector as they affect all the agencies under the Marine and Blue Economy will be featured.
Specifically, the progress being made in the areas of exploring the potentials of the sea to the growth of the national economy, ports infrastructure renewal, port economic regulation and indeed customs revenue generation and anti-smuggling war under a harsh economic environment will be discussed.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola, who is also the Special Guest of Honour, will declare the seminar open.
The seminar which theme is “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Place of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry” will involve paper presentations from agencies and other industry experts.
The Nigeria Customs Service will present a special paper titled: “Challenges of Customs Revenue Generation/Anti-Smuggling Operations”.
The event will be chaired by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr Pius Akutah.
Guests of Honour expected at the occasion include the Special Adviser to the President on Policy/Coordination, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubarkar Dantshoyo.
Other Guests of Honour include former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr Hassan Bello and Chairman of Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs Vicky Haastrup.
Guest Lecturers expected on the occasion are the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Ade Dosunmu and Senior Lecturer at the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Dr. Charles Okorefe.
The President of the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers, Chief Timonthy Okorocha, said the seminar is part of the contributions of the association to the development of the maritime sector.
LOME is made up of veteran maritime media practitioners who have covered the industry for close to three decades.
Okorocha added that top maritime industry stakeholders and experts have been invited to be part of the discussions on different issues affecting the marine and blue economy.
The League President also disclosed that key industry stakeholders who have been approached have indicated their willingness to attend the seminar which starts at 11 am.