Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has appealed to maritime stakeholders and all who carry out one form of commercial activity or another around coastal areas to be mindful of how important the oceans are to human existence.

Speaking on the 2025 World Maritime Day celebration during Nigeria’s commemoration of the Day which had the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,” Dantsoho expressed the view that the theme aptly captures the increased responsibility placed on all citizens as stakeholders in maritime industry, to take frontline ownership of the ocean, on whose sustainability, the very sustenance of humanity rests.

He emphasized that with over 90 percent of global trade, accounting for half of the world’s economic output, the maritime industry  constitute an important economic driver, that helps to spur development and reduce poverty.

“Every member of the maritime, and indeed the global community, is directly or indirectly a beneficiary of the ocean,  we are all duty bound to become more intentional and deliberate in our responsibility to protect the ocean and its resources”

Dr. Dantsoho charged dignitaries and guests  at the event to rise from the celebration with a stronger commitment to take actions that makes the ocean cleaner.

“Making global port operations eco-friendlier and actualizing the other noble objectives of the World Ports Sustainability Program rests heavily on our shoulders as maritime stakeholders”

The NPA boss noted that studies have shown that sea transport is the most environmentally friendly of all the transport forms adding that  it is important to acknowledge that humanity owes posterity a duty, to not only continually formulate and implement policies that protect the ocean, but to maintain as individuals, and institutions a behavioral pattern that places the highest premium on protecting the oceans.

According to Dr. Dantsoho “It is an irrefutable fact that we are all beneficiaries of the ocean, and the time has come to give back to our dear benefactor, the ocean by protecting and making her cleaner, not just by talking but in specific and measurable action steps”

He assured Nigerian port users of the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Ports Authority under the leadership and guidance of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to the continuous promotion of port eco-friendliness.

On the relationship between man and the oceans, the NPA helmsman said “Let me leave you with the seminal words of John F. Kennedy that “We have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean; as we make up our minds to clean up the ocean for sustainability, we are making up our minds to clean up ourselves” Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho declared.