Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi (middle); Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola (2nd left); President, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, NCS, Aminu Umar (Left); Managing Consultant/CEO Samuelson, Tony Epelle (left); presenting an award to David Joshua Okwudiri from Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron (2nd right), the winner of an essay competition organised by the NIMASA, during the commemoration of the 2024 World Maritime Day in Lagos.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has called for a renewed dedication to safety and assured that the Agency is committed to maintaining a sustainable maritime future for Nigeria.
He gave the assurance , while speaking during the celebration of World Maritime Day (WMD) 2024 in Lagos, which had as its theme ,“ Navigating the Future: Safety First”.
“Let us renew our dedication for safety, innovation and stewardship in the maritime sector. Together, we can navigate a safer future for our maritime industry,” Mobereola stated.
On his part, the President of Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Engr. Israel Obadan, commended the maritime industry, particularly NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, for fostering a new sense of calm on the nation’s maritime domain.
The Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi, while speaking, had earlier assured that the Federal Government will increase investments in new technologies and alternative fuels to ensure safe shipping operations in the country.
In his words, “For safety and operational efficiency, it is imperative that we invest in upgrading our facilities and building capacity to ensure Nigeria remains competitive in the global arena of seaborne trade.
The MD/CEO of Sea Transport Services Nigeria, Mr. Aminu Umar, encouraged the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry and the industry to continue supporting youth in exploring career opportunities and vocations in the maritime sector.
The event also included the presentation of awards, cash prizes and scholarships to several secondary and tertiary institution students who wrote articles on the Blue Economy, sponsored by NIMASA.
While presenting the awards, a former Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, stated, “I congratulate the winners of the competition. Let this be a lesson to our students that hard work and diligence pay.”
World Maritime Day was first held in 1978 to mark the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the IMO Convention. Since then, celebrations have taken place worldwide to highlight the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment, while emphasizing specific aspects of International Maritime Organization’s mission.
