The Executive Director, Operations and Technical Services, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Captain Waredi Enisuoh has been conferred with the African Marine Environment Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI) extraordinary ambassador award.
The award was conferred on the Tantita Chief in recognition of what the organisers described as “his contribution to the marine and blue economy sector” in the country.
He was presented the award on the sideline of the two day annual symposium and workshop with the theme: “Achieving Blue Growth in a Changing Climate-Integrating the Coastal Communities” organized by AFMESI at Best Western Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, recently.
Speaking on the conferment, the President of AFMESI, Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Mogo said Enisuoh was given the award as a result of the strides he has made in the maritime industry over the years.
According to her, the conferment was in line with the purpose of establishing AFMESI which is focused on establishing innovative financing mechanisms that support blue economy projects across Africa.
Continuing, she said: “We aim to attract investment in sustainable ocean industries, from eco-friendly aquaculture to renewable marine energy and to ensure that these investments benefit the communities most in need. We will work with financial institutions, government agencies, private organizations, among others to achieve this goal.”
“Over the years, AFMESI has championed numerous projects and initiatives in Nigeria, and across Africa, aimed at protecting our marine ecosystems, empowering coastal communities and advancing policy frameworks that support sustainable marine practices”.
Mogo called for collaboration of coastal communities and all stakeholders in the marine and blue economy sector towards promoting marine regulation and development.
“We must be united by our shared commitment to achieving sustainable blue growth in Africa, particularly in the context of our rapidly changing climate. As we continue to explore the vast opportunities that the blue economy presents, it is imperative that we also reflect on the direction we, as a community, are taking and the future targets we must set to realize our collective vision for Africa’s oceans and coastal communities”, she said
Enisuoh was prior to his appointment in TSSNL, a Director in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
He was conferred with the award after delivering a paper at the workshop which attracted stakeholders in the maritime industry.
Maritime Bits had reported that the Tantita Chief enjoined the Federal Government to invest in carbon credits to attract what called “sustainable development” in the marine and blue economy sector.
He explained that Green House gas emissions and other challenges of climate change could be converted as a roadmap for employment generation and development for coastal communities if the potentials are properly harnessed.
“Carbon credit attracts renewable energy and it can be converted to opportunities through effective use and management of the ocean for development in the country. Nigeria has the potentials to create jobs and reduce risk if the country develops a good sustainable ocean plan. The country needs a long term economic and social development by protecting the marine areas that will attract development with the aim of maximizing profit”, he said
He identified impacts of deforestation, animal farming, crops harvesting, damages caused by diesels, gas lines, ships and ports which according to him constitutes 3 -5 percent of Green House gas emission as some of the resources that the country could deploy towards achieving blue growth results.
AFMESI was founded on a core mission to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of our marine and coastal environments while fostering economic growth that benefits not just businesses but also the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on these precious resources.
