Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) hosted a one-day workshop for maritime journalists in Lagos, aimed at enhancing their understanding of the maritime industry and the agency’s regulatory role. The event, themed *”Regulating the Maritime Industry: The NIMASA Perspective,”* took place at the Kitack Lim Training Center.
The workshop sought to expand participants’ knowledge of the maritime sector and provide insights into how NIMASA regulates the industry. It also aimed to encourage a more robust collaboration between the media and the agency, ensuring better-informed reporting on maritime affairs.
During the workshop, discussions focused on three key areas: NIMASA’s role in promoting Nigeria’s participation in international shipping, understanding international maritime regulatory frameworks, and NIMASA’s enforcement processes.
NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, Director of Administration and Human Resources, emphasized the importance of responsible journalism in promoting the sector’s growth.
He urged journalists to play an active role in showcasing the untapped opportunities within the maritime industry to the public.
“There is no great nation anywhere that is not a Maritime nation. The resources are out there and this administration has decided that it is our time to tap into our greatness.
“This industry and the future of the Nigerian economy is in the hands of all of us. As media professionals, you are the ones to tell the masses the opportunities that exists in this industry,” said mobereola.
He encouraged media professionals to highlight opportunities in areas such as sea transportation and fisheries, asserting that the maritime sector holds significant potential for the future of Nigeria’s economy.
“After this engagement, we should be very concerned about letting Nigerians know the vast opportunities inherent in the Maritime industry. We can leverage on the sea transportation sub-sector or in fisheries. It is the turn of the media to make this industry great,” he stated.