All is now set for the hosting of the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi to a grand reception organized by the umbrella body of journalists covering the maritime sector of the economy, Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN).
Established in 1988, MARAN has continued to pursue the aims and objectives for which it was established over the years with several strides to its credit.
Ajayi who was an erstwhile President of MARAN had in the last election in NUJ trounced the incumbent, Dr. Qasim Akinreti in an election adjudged as one of the freest and credible in the history of the council after several postponements.
The President and General Secretary of MARAN, Anya Njoku and Dapo Olawumi respectively, in a statement made available to Maritime Bits said the crème-de-la-crème in the maritime industry are billed to attend the event under the chairmanship of the former President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu.
Scheduled to take place at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos Thursday March, 25th 2021 by 11am prompt, the event would feature a lecture with the theme “National Development: The Challenges and Prospects for Proper Implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in the Nigerian Maritime Industry.”
According to the statement, MARAN is happy and proud that of one of its own, Adeleye Ajayi is the number one journalist in Lagos State. It is on record that, Ajayi served MARAN meritoriously as Secretary General and later as President, hence the grand reception in his honour. The grand reception and lecture aims to boost the synergy between the maritime press, industry players and the general public.
The lead paper would be presented by a seasoned journalist and the Editor of the XPRESS Newspaper, Mr. Emeka Okoroanyawu who was one of the founders of MARAN.
One of the pioneer members of MARAN, Layinka Adagun would also be a panel discussant to enhance the perspectives of the theme.
The statement added that the special guests of honor expected at the event include the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman; the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello, and the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu.
Others are the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Zone ‘A’, Lagos, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho.
The chief guests of honour are the Chairperson, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Victoria Haastrup; the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju and the immediate past Chairman, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju.
The President of ANLCA, Hon Tony Iju Nwabunike; founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam; as well as the former Presidents and members of the executives of MARAN are also expected to grace the occasion.
