Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has praised Nigerian journalists, particularly the maritime media, for their contributions to Nigeria’s recent victory at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) elections, urging sustained support to consolidate the global achievement.
Nigeria recently secured a seat in the coveted Category C of the IMO Council, ending a 14-year streak of unsuccessful attempts.
Speaking with the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), led by its Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele, at the agency’s headquarters on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, NIMASA’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Mr. Edward Osagie, said the maritime media played a critical role in projecting Nigeria’s maritime strengths to the international community.
Osagie noted that the media complemented the efforts of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA in showcasing Nigeria’s vast maritime potential and administrative capacity, factors he said were instrumental to the country’s success at the polls.
“The international community is taking note of every single report we write as journalists about the country, and it is what they use to assess us as a nation,” Osagie said. “That is why it is imperative for us, as journalists, to allow patriotism and commitment to nation-building guide the way we write.”
He emphasized the importance of developmental journalism and cautioned against reportage that could undermine Nigeria’s image, especially at a time when the country is consolidating its renewed standing within the global maritime community.
Osagie also addressed recent reports surrounding the arrest of a vessel, MT *Skipper*, by the United States Coast Guard over alleged crude oil theft and other transnational crimes. He described attempts to link the vessel to Nigeria as misleading, stressing that the ship neither flew the Nigerian flag nor was its purported owner, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, registered with NIMASA.
“What identifies a vessel is the flag it flies,” he explained. “Since the detained vessel did not carry Nigeria’s flag, those who tried to ascribe its ownership to Nigeria did so either out of sheer mischief or ignorance.”
The NIMASA spokesman, however, commended MARAN for what he described as responsible and balanced reporting, acknowledging the association’s support for the agency despite perceived shortcomings.
“Despite the fact that the agency may not have met all the expectations of members of MARAN, they haven’t written negative reports on our activities and operations,” Osagie said. “The MARAN brand is a brand I am proud of, and we are also proud of it in the industry.”
He pledged the agency’s support to the association and its caretaker committee, assuring that NIMASA would assist MARAN in areas within its capacity to ensure smooth administration.
Osagie also expressed appreciation to the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, for his consistent support, particularly in matters concerning journalists’ welfare and capacity development.
“There is hardly any request for the welfare of journalists that I present to him which he ignores,” he said, adding that the DG’s disposition had made his role as head of the public relations unit “stress-free.”
Earlier, MARAN Chairman, Mr. Tunde Ayodele, said the visit was aimed at consolidating the long-standing relationship between the association and NIMASA. He assured the agency that MARAN would continue to practise responsible journalism that enhances NIMASA’s operations and strengthens Nigeria’s credibility on the global stage.
Ayodele, however, urged the agency to reciprocate through concrete actions that would support professional integrity and improve the welfare of maritime journalists.