Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola.

Barring any last minute change in the scheme of things, all is set for the 2024 edition of the League of Maritime Editors, where shipping industry stakeholders in Nigeria are expected to gather at the Ikeja Airport Hotel, Lagos, Friday, August 23, to x-ray the journey so far for the country’s marine and blue economy sector, one year after the creation of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Among maritime issues, the Nigeria Customs Service will make a special presentation entitled: “Challenges of Customs Revenue Generation/Anti-Smuggling Operations”.

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, event will feature a progress report in the areas of exploring the potential of the seas and oceans 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.

The seminar will be declared open by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon.  Adegboyega Oyetola, at 11 am. The programme is the main focus of the association’s 2023 annual general meeting AGM.

The seminar with the theme: “Renewed Hope Agenda: The Place of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry” will involve paper presentations from agencies and other industry experts.

The event will be chaired by the Executive Secretary/CEO, 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 Dantsoho.

Other Guests of Honour include former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr Hassan Bello and Chairman, Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria STOAN Dr. Mrs Vicky Haastrup.

Guest speakers 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 Nigerian 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’s President also disclosed that key industry stakeholders have indicated their willingness to grace the occasion, which begins 11 am.