As Agency Train Media Practitioners on Maritime Codes and Conventions

Dr. Bashir Jamoh, DG NIMASA

In continuation of its resolve to ensure adequate capacity for all categories of maritime stakeholders, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,  NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR has said that the agency is committed to building capacity in the maritime industry, not only for its staff but also for stakeholders including the media.

Addressing participants at a one-day training programme organised by the Agency in collaboration with Maxval Nigeria Limited, a training and management consultants firm for journalists in Lagos, the DG reiterated that the Agency shall persist in building capacity for the entire maritime industry in fulfilment of its statutory obligations.

The training for maritime journalists focused on Maritime Conventions and Codes and role of NIMASA in implementation of relevant Codes and Conventions.

The DG who was represented by the Director, Human Resources, Hamisu Gambo, while addressing said: “NIMASA is conscious of the need to bring Journalists up to speed with current dynamics in the maritime industry across the globe, given that the industry by its very nature is international.

“NIMASA is desirous of tutoring journalists that cover the industry on the statutory functions of the agency. We also need to educate the Journalists on the need to project the country’s image in a positive manner because doing  otherwise would bring about unpleasant backlashes on the nation and its economy.”

The DG urged the Journalists to put Nigeria’s interest first in reporting developments in the industry. He argued that most investment decisions are made based on media reports available on a particular country or jurisdiction, adding that one small negative report could cost the country several billions of dollars in both foreign and local investments.

Dr. Jamoh tasked participants at the training session  to utilise the opportunity provided by the training to update themselves on current global issues in terms of international maritime laws, codes, conventions and protocols, which would enhance their reportage of the industry.

Conventions covered at the training workshop were  the United Nations International convention on Lives at Sea UNCLOS, Safety of Lives at Sea SOLAS, Marine Pollution Regulation Convention MARPOL,  Standards for Safety and Watchkeeping STCW, International Labour Organisation Convention and the International Maritime Labour Convention IMLC, amongst others.

While thanking the DG and his spokesperson, Mr. Osagie Edward for the training opportunity the Journalists also commended the resource person Peter Agbaminoja Esq for his efforts at making the training interesting even as they called for more of such training in the coming year.