The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN has announced a shift in the date of its inaugural Maran Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL) earlier scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 21 in Lagos.

The maiden Annual Lecture themed: “Maritime Security: Emerging Threats and Actionable Steps” is targeted at proffering long-term, sustainable solutions and will now hold on Wednesday 29, 2023 at Rockview Hotel Apapa, Lagos by 9 am.

In a press statement signed by the President of MARAN, Godfrey Bivbere, he stated that the 2023 MAMAL would effectively address maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) region and protect seafaring and fishing communities in the affected countries.

MARAN, as the foremost umbrella body of journalists covering the Nigerian maritime sector, has identified and commends the collaborative initiatives and efforts of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and other maritime agencies which led to a significant reduction in piracy incidents in Nigerian waters and the GoG throughout 2022.

To a large extent, the establishment of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum for the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction (GOG-MCF/SHADE) has enabled stakeholders within and outside the region to connect and discuss frequently how best to tackle piracy in the area and this had yielded verifiable results.

Bivbere noted that the Special Guest of Honour is Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola while the keynote Speaker is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh.

Other speakers will include former NIMASA DG, Barr Temisan Omatseye, Alhaji Aminu Umar,  President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS); Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN) and Capt Waredi Eniosuo

Stakeholders in the maritime sector including Shipowners, NIMASA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Navy, Shipping Lines, Terminal Operators, and major seafarers’ organisations are all expected to grace this epoch-making event.

Bivbere further noted that other dignitaries expected at the event include Chief Isaac Jolapamo, President General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, former Minister and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Genesis Worldwide Shipping, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chairman of Starz Group, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, the Nigeria Ship Owners Association, NISA, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN and other relevant stakeholders.