Author: Aisha Cole

Customs

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 30, 2024 (NAN) Some maritime experts have said that the establishment of Customs Trade Modernisation Project (CTMP) would enable Nigeria to become a shipping hub for west and central Africa.

The experts made the assertion in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

The President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMArrica), Mrs Rollens Macfoy, said that the establishment of the CTMP would make Nigeria a port of origin and destination.

She said that the trade volume of cargo would increase and the CTMP operation would also reduce the time of doing business at Nigerian ports.

Also, the President of Women in Shipping Africa, Dr Odunayo Ani, said that the establishment of CTMP would allow customs to clear cargo in less than an hour due to the facilities that would be installed on the project.

According to her, if the time of doing business is reduced, Nigeria will be a preferred cargo destination to other African countries and there will be more job for the youth.

Tajudeen Alao, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, said that the federal government’s Customs Trade Modernisation Project (CTMP) will stimulate quicker cargo clearance at the nation’s ports.

Alao noted that the establishment of the project will also boost Internally Generated Revenue and enhance the country’s global visibility.

He said that the world had moved beyond conventional methods of doing business, with the advancement of technology.

He said: “More than 30 years ago, when Singapore grew from a third-world country to a first-world country, the President, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, led the drive for technology awareness, and now look at where Singapore is today in terms of technology.

“So, Nigeria must make more efforts to keep abreast with technological advancements worldwide.

“The establishment of the Trade Modernisation Project would add value in terms of Internally Generated Revenue through improved customs clearance procedures.

“Consider the time when we had to carry files around; now everything is done through ICT. Nigeria must modernise, and I am glad this initiative is underway,” Alao said.

The master mariner emphasised that without trade, growth is impossible and that creating an atmosphere conducive for trade “is essential to reap its benefits”.

Alao assured Nigerians of the tremendous benefits that would follow the establishment of the Trade Modernisation Project, adding that master mariners were upgrading themselves globally to remain relevant in the maritime industry.

NAN reports that the federal government and Trade Modernisation Project Ltd. signed a 20-year Concession Agreement on May 30, 2022, to provide best-in-class technology for the implementation of paperless customs at the Nigeria Customs operations.

The General Manager of the Trade Facilitation Project, Mr Ahmed Ogunshola, explained the numerous benefits accrued to a nation when the Customs Modernisation Project (CMP) is fully automated.

Ogunshola explained that TMP was the automation of the business processes of the Nigeria Customs Service.

He said that the project would simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain, making it easy to obtain import and export clearances, pay duties, and obtain the release of goods.

Ogunshola said that the major advantage of the project was the significant growth in the revenue profile of the federal government.

“The project will generate more than 250 billion dollars for the federal government over the life of the concession.

“The project will bring Nigeria to par with the rest of the world, in terms of deploying technology to facilitate international trade.

“The TMP project will give the economic diversification agenda of the federal government a huge boost by providing further ease of cross-border trading.

“By the time the project is fully implemented, it will cover all areas of customs activities, including duties collection, clearance operations and suppression of smuggling,” Ogunshola said.

On his part, the National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, assured stakeholders of quicker clearance of cargo with the establishment of Customs Trade Modernisation Project.

Maiwada said that the concessionaire had said that the facilities would be built foolproof against cyber-attacks with the latest security network gadgets used.

He said that the customs modernisation project, which had three phases, was a 20-year concession agreement.

The customs spokesman said the Trade Modernisation Project is was the automation of the business processes of the NCS to simplify and enhance the experience of stakeholders in the trade value chain.

Maiwada said it was expected to ease export and import clearances in paying duties and obtaining releases of good. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AIC/AWA

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Ports

By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The  Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has launched the operational manual for inland dry port projects.

The launching took place in Jos on Thursday.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Mr Akutah Pius, made this known in a statement he issued on Friday.

He said that the council had played a pivotal role in ensuring the development of inland dry ports across designated locations in the country.

He said that the  Jos Inland Dry in Heipang was one of the dry port projects being facilitated by the NSC to bring shipping facilities to shippers in the hinterlands.

“It is also to create employment opportunities for citizens and accrue substantial revenue to the government,” he said.

He said that, with concerted efforts of the host state government and other key players, the Jos Inland Dry Port project would soon become a reality.

According to him, the Jos Inland Dry Port is strategically located to serve not only the host state but also  neighbouring states.

He noted that the Plateau State Investment and Property Development Company had acquired Jos Inland Dry Port from Duncan Maritime Services Ltd. in 2022.

He said that with the new development, the new concessionaires and the host state government would drive the project.

Pius quoted  Plateau Gov. Caleb Murtfwang as describing the launching of the Inland Dry Port as a milestone, considering the economic potential of the state.

Pius also quoted Plateau Commissioner for Commerce, Mr Musa Sule, as describing Nigerian Shippers’ Council as a key partner in the development of the port project.

He also quoted the Coordinator, North Central Zone of the council, Alhaji Ahmed Umar, as saying that  the launching of the operational manual was to adequately guide stakeholders and operators on how best to use  inland dry ports.

He equally  quoted the President of Plateau State Shippers Association, Hajia Aisa Bashir, as giving the assurance of the  association’s readiness to enlighten shippers on the operational manual. (NAN)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Seafarers

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica), Nigerian Chapter, has urged the Federal Government to improve  remuneration of seafarers and provide a special pension scheme  for them.

The chapter said that the improvement and provision should be part of efforts to develop seafaring in Nigeria.

The President of the chapter, Mrs Rollens Macfoy, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday to mark the 2024 International Day of Seafarers.

Macfoy called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure  remuneration Nigerian seafarers  like their foreign counterparts.

“The issue of special pension scheme for seafarers to prepare them for good retirement should also be considered.

“The trauma of the job they do is enormous. There is also the issue of ill-health and treatment while onboard.

” We should recall that even in the worst of times like the COVID-19 lockdown, seafarers continued to work,” Macfoy said.

According to her, the International Day of  Seafarers is a day to honour the world’s over two million seafarers whose dedication and professionalism keep the vast majority of world trade moving safely.

She regretted that female seafarers had yet to be generally accepted.

According to her, women are less than two per cent of seafarers globally, while Nigeria has less than 0.5 per cent of its seafarers as females.

“I appeal to NIMASA and ship owners’ association to welcome the idea of female seafarers and also encourage them.

“Let us realise the quality of work they will deliver and not their gender.

“Seafarers are important for the economy. I call them the heartbeat of nations.

“As we celebrate the seafarers, I use this medium to appreciate seafarers all over the world, particularly Nigerian seafarers, who have had about the largest heat of this job.

“They continue to provide essential services under difficult conditions,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Ijeoma Popoola

Customs generates N115bn from Lagos Free Trade Zone in 6 months

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos Free Trade Zone of the Nigeria Customs Service says it generated N115 billion in revenue over the past six months.

Its Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olanrewaju Olumoh, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement in the Free Trade Zone in Lagos on Thursday.

Olumoh expressed optimism that the command would meet and surpass its annual target by the end of the year.

He said, “The fallout from these visits necessitated the meeting today where we shall reveal our achievements so far and discuss matters that will improve operations in the Free Trade Zones under the Command.

“The initial revenue target given to the Free Trade Zone was N108.84 billion before it was reviewed to N136.05 billion for 2024.

“From January 2024 till date, the command has generated N41.3 billion from the Free Trade Zone, compared to N24.7 billion collected during the same period in 2023.

This shows an increase of N16.6 billion, representing a 67per centt rise over 2023.”

For Lekki Port, an initial revenue target of N6.61 billion was reviewed to N8.26 billion. From January to date, N74.67 billion was generated as revenue from the port.

Olumoh explained the fundamental benefits of establishing Free Trade Zones to include attracting foreign investments, promoting technology transfer, and creating job opportunities.

He stressed the importance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving these goals.

“It is important to keep sensitising agents and zone operators on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Free Zones to enhance their compliance level and improve their capacity towards better service delivery,” Olumoh noted.

He emphasised that stakeholder engagement is about building relationships based on trust, transparency, and mutual understanding.

“We want to operate an open-door policy where we can entertain meaningful contributions to move the Command forward,” he said.

Olumoh commended the Zone management and other agencies, including the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Immigration and the Nigeria Police Force, for their continuous support in achieving these results.

He also recognised the critical role of the media in public sensitisation and enlightenment about Free Zones.

Mrs Oladunni Kareem, General Manager of Operations at Lekki Free Trade Zone, commended the NCS for the interactive session.

She emphasised the need for operators to be aware of customs procedures to reduce the time of doing business.

“We want trade facilitation and the Nigeria Customs Service is doing all it can towards that. Revenue collection for the government cannot be overemphasised; we have to operate side by side,” Kareem said.

She assured of continued collaboration with NCS to improve Nigeria’s trade environment.

Kareem noted that trade facilitation would encourage investors and help introduce the free trade zone to other investors, thereby creating more jobs for the youth. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Olawunmi Ashafa

NDLEA

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 27, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Special Area Command,  Tincan Island Port, has  arrested 21 suspected drug traffickers and intercepted 28,622.389kg of illicit drugs.

The agency’s Commander of Narcotics, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Thursday.

Abubakar said that the arrests and interceptions were  from January 2024 to June 2024.

He said that 14 of the arrested suspects had  been put on trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

“Seizure of approximately 28,622.389 kilogrammes of various illicit drugs, including cannabis indica or Canadian loud weighing 2,232.999 kilogrammes were made,” he said.

The commander said that the seizures showed an increase of 261.9% over  seizures recorded by the command in the last six months of 2023.

“Included also is a seizure of Heroin weighing 79.39 kilogrammes, and 26,310 kilogrammes of Barcadin cough syrups with codeine (i.e. 175,400 bottles of 100ml each).

“Included also is monetary exhibit of six million naira being a bribe offered by a suspect to thwart seizure of 7.5 kilogramme of Canadian loud.

He added that the command impounded vehicles and containers used to conceal the drugs  or carry out smuggling activities.

The commander re-affirmed the command’s commitment to the global fight against  drug trafficking, particularly in the maritime domain.

He said that  since the beginning of 2024, the command had undertaken a series of robust operations that had significantly disrupted the activities of drug trafficking syndicates on the coastlines and maritime corridors under its area of responsibility.

Abubakar said that the most notable  seizure  was a combined seizure of heroin weighing 56.39k made from two containers.

He described it as the highest single seizure of heroin ever recorded in the maritime domain in Nigeria.

Abubakar said that both containers came from Durban, South Africa, and were declared as personal effects.

“We apprehended three suspects in connection with the seizure. All the suspects are  on trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos.

He said that the command also made a single seizure of 1,072kg of cannabis indica from a container shipped from Montreal, Canada, and falsely declared as containing  three units of used vehicles.

He said: “The Tincan NDLEA Special Area Command remains resolute in its mission to deny criminal elements the ability to exploit our maritime domain for their nefarious activities.

“We will continue to work closely with our national and international partners to strengthen  capabilities, share intelligence, and collectively dismantle the intricate networks of drug trafficking organisations.

“The command will continue to appreciate and commend the tireless efforts of its men and women who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and professionalism in executing the command’s mandate.

“These achievements are a testament to the steadfast commitment of our personnel in safeguarding our maritime borders and protecting our communities from the devastating impact of illicit drugs.”

According to him,  as the world commemorates the United Nations Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the command reaffirmed its determination to continue playing a pivotal role in the global fight against drug trade, upholding the rule of law and preserving security and well-being. (NAN)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Maritime
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko has commended the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu which attracted global applause and transformation of the maritime industry.

Bello-Koko made the remark during an unscheduled visit to the Lagos ports access roads on Wednesday.

“The decade-long traffic gridlock was recently cleared by the NPA,’’ the managing director said in a statement made available to newsmen.

He also applauded the leadership style of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“As part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the sanity that has since returned to the ports access roads will be sustained to promote ease of doing business and drive exports to enhance Nigeria’s balance of trade,” Bello-Koko said.

He said that in spite of the global economic headwinds that characterised the year 2023, the Nigerian Ports Authority, succeeded in maintaining the momentum to surpass its  performance of the year 2022.

According to him, the implementation of continuous performance improvement measures resulted in unprecedented revenue generation and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federation.

“This revenue is steadily growing from N361 billion in 2022 to N501 billion as at December 2023; and remittances increasing from N93.4 billion in 2022 to N131.2 billion by year end 2023,” Bello-Koko said.

He noted that taxes paid to the Federal Government also grew at various times in the period under review up to $77.7 million and N17.6 billion respectively.

He said that the strategic forecast was to be actualised in 2024.

“The forecast such as the $1 billion worth reconstruction of Tin Can Island Port Complex and the comprehensive rehabilitation of Apapa, Rivers, Onne Ports, amongst others.

“It is evident that the Nigerian Ports Authority has been positioned to not only create but sustain superior performance necessary to maximise the comparative advantages that Nigeria’s maritime endowments confer, ” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Seaport
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Chairman, Mercury Maritime Concession Company (MMCC), Rear Adm. Andrew Okoja (rtd), said the Delta Government had revalidated the approval of Escravos $27.2 billion Seaport project, while waiting for Federal Government’s validation.

Okoja, the Developer and Lead Promoter of the Escravos Port project made this known at a news conference in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said that the Delta Government had granted the approval of the revalidation of the project to the developer of the proposed $27.29 billion Escravos Industrial Complex (ESIC) project in Delta.

He said the developer had received assurance from the Federal Government that the revalidation of the earlier granted provisional approval would soon be granted.

“We have received a revalidation from Delta State Government, which was communicated to us early this week.

“We are also in touch with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the supervisory ministry for this project and they have assured us that the revalidation of the Federal Government would be granted before the expiration of the June deadline that the project financier gave us.

“The project will run across eight ministries including the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Power,’’ Okoja said.

According to him, the port developer and its partners are bringing a development fund of $27.2 billion to support the present administration in its drive to attract foreign direct investments, develop the economy and create jobs.

He called on stakeholders as well as state governments at different levels to join hands to build Nigerian economy by creating an enabling environment for the port project to thrive for the growth of the nation’s economy.

Okoja said the developer had also secured both financial and developmental partners.

“The EDIB International of Hong Kong had expressed willingness to invest in the project as the financial partner for the port project that will be located on 31,000 hectares of land in Escravos (Gbaramatu Island/Omadino) Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The port project will open up Delta State and seven other states including FCT Abuja to international investors in the area of trade, commerce and industry.

“The project also involves building seven inland dry ports in Bayelsa, Imo, Delta, Edo, Kogi and Abuja and that all the deliverables would be achieved within five years of commencing construction,” he said.

The Port Project Director of MMCC, Mr Ausbet Udebu, said the project involved one deep seaport, inland ports in seven states, such as Bayelsa (Nun river), Imo (Oguta lake), Delta (Okegbele), Edo (Inyele), Delta (Ebu), Kogi (Idah) and FCT Abuja.

Udebu said the project involved building an intermodal transport system for cargo evacuation including 45km coastal roads, 150km rail line that would connect existing Warri-Ajaokuta-Itakpe railway and 600km of marine network.

He said there would be an independent power infrastructure that involved 2,000 megawatts of Independent Power Project (IPP), two 500 megawatts of IPP in two inland ports and five 250 megawatts of IPP in five inland ports.

Udebu said that there would be a Free Trade Zone, an industrial park and a Central Business District.

He explained that Anambra and Niger would have equity ownership in the ESIC project.

He said the project would be executed through a Joint Venture Partnership with a Nigerian firm, Mercury Maritime Concession Company Ltd. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Collaboration

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has called for more collaboration with enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders to stop drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The Apapa Commander, NDLEA, Mr Noah Ndutong, made the call on Wednesday in Apapa during the Grand Finale of the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that June 26 is observed as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The theme for the year is “The evidence is clear, invest in prevention”.

Ndutong emphasised that joint efforts from stakeholders would ease the work of the NDLEA as the agency was determined to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the international goal of freeing society from drug abuse.

He noted that nearly every family had been affected by drug abuse in some way and warned that the chances of overcoming drug abuse were slim.

“The menace keeps depleting our workforce. Nigerians should invest more in preventing drug abuse.

“Preventing drug abuse entails public enlightenment and sensitisation, among other measures. Our agency will drive drug dealers out of business faster with more synergy from other sister agencies.

“Drug dealers won’t enjoy their businesses as they will all spend their time in jail. Drugs are a major contributor to crimes and criminality in the country,” Ndutong said.

The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, represented by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Uchenna Agomuo, said that drug abuse hinders national development.

According to him, Apapa Command aligns with NDLEA in the fight against drug abuse.

“Drug abuse fuels insecurity, among other crimes and together, we can fight it. So, I urge all hands to be on deck to achieve our target of zero tolerance for drug trafficking,” Olomu said.

The 23rd Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Commodore Rafiu Oladeji, urged everyone to support the fight against drug abuse, calling it a global menace.

He commended the NDLEA for involving more youths and students in the awareness campaign, which he added would help reduce the rate of drug abuse in society.

The Assistant Commander General of Narcotics, NDLEA, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, urged youths to prevent themselves from engaging in drug abuse rather than seeking cures after addiction.

In his closing remarks, the Area Commander of Tincan Island Ports, NDLEA, Mr Muhammed Abubakar, commended the sister agencies and other stakeholders for their participation.

He said that their collective efforts had contributed to a massive turnout of stakeholders and youths in the sensitisation campaign against drug trafficking.

Abubakar urged Nigerians to join hands with the government to stop drug abuse and drug trafficking in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Seafarers

By Aisha Cole
Lagos, June 25, 2024(NAN) Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) says it plans to replace foreign seafarers operating within Nigeria’s cabotage waters with indigenous seafarers.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, made this disclosure on Tuesday during the 2024 Seafarers Day celebration in Lagos.

Mobereola said that this would be through the introduction of the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy on Manning.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has set the 2024 theme as “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.

Mobereola acknowledged the challenges facing seafarers to include threats from war zones, piracy, exposure to health risks, and the lack of basic rights such as insurance and compensation.

According to him, June 25 is set dedicated to acknowledging, honouring the contributions and sacrifices of seafarers worldwide.

He emphasised that seafarers were the backbone of global trade, ensuring that over 80 per cent of the world’s trade reached its destination in espite of challenges faced onboard vessels.

Mobereola said, “This is a call to action for all stakeholders, including the government, ship owners, and NIMASA, to address these issues and prioritise seafarer welfare.

“I wish to state that the agency’s human capacity-building initiatives have resulted in the training and retraining of Nigerian seafarers to acquire the required skills in line with industry needs.

“We have prioritised training programmes and courses to enable seafarers to acquire advanced certificates that will enhance their employment opportunities.

“There are opportunities for Nigerian-trained seafarers in the Cabotage Regime, the Liquefied Natural Gas and Brass LNG Projects, expansion of the NLNG trains, and the Olokola Gas Project, to mention but a few.

“We need to do more to showcase the importance of seafaring and attract our youth.  including females, to consider a career in seafaring. We should aim at well-trained and educated officers capable of ensuring the safe operation of vessels.”

He highlighted that Nigeria had a young population capable of competing with other countries whose seafarers contribute significantly to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He explained that NIMASA was investing in training and capacity-building programmes to enhance seafarers’ skills, welfare and employment opportunities.

In his keynote speech, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, represented by the agency’s Director of Safety and Security, Mr Babatunde Bombata promised to organise more training for seafarers.

Oyetola assured support to NIMASA in achieving their mandate in line with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In her goodwill message, the President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Nigeria, Dr Odunayo Ani, appreciated Nigerian seafarers’ contributions to sustaining global trade.

She emphasised that adherence to safety protocols is crucial in seafaring and praised the efforts of marine engineers, ship captains, and everyone involved in this discipline.

Dignitaries present at the celebration included the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Pius Akutah, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, President of Women in Shipping Africa (WIMAFRICA) Mrs Rollens Macfoy.

Others include President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Adewale Adeyanju, President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr Sonny Eja, President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Shola Adewumi, and Regional Director of Africa Mission to Seafarers, Cedric Rautenbach. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola

Seafarers

By Aisha Cole

Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity,  Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, will be at the forefront of the 2024 Seafarers Day on Tuesday.

Mr Edward Osagie, an Assistant Director of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Adminstration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos on Monday.

Osagie said that the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the Head of International Monetary Funds (ITF) Seafarer’s Trust Fund, Katie Higginbottom, would also actively participate in the celebration.

Osagie quoted Mobereola as urging Nigerians to celebrate  seafarers’ resilience and dedication at the occasion.

He urged the use of  hashtag  #SafetyTipsAtSea on social media platforms for the celebration.

“Seafarers are the unsung heroes of our global economy. I will even describe them as the lifeblood of international trade.

“They sacrifice a lot for humanity’s existence as they leave their families for months for our sake.

“Let us celebrate their resilience, dedication, and the invaluable role they play in our world,” he said.

He said that the 2024 commemoration presented another opportunity to bring to the fore, the importance of seafarers, who he described as essential workers.

“This year’s theme also aligns with the agency’s drive to protect Nigerian seafarers and create more opportunities for those willing to take a career in seafaring,” he said.

NAN reports that the International Maritime Organisation set aside June 25 annually as Seafarers Day to  recognise  contributions seafarers make to international trade and the world economy.

The theme of the 2024 edition is: “Navigating the Future: Safety First”. (NAN)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola