As part of his ongoing efforts to enhance Nigeria’s maritime sector, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, is set to deliver a critical analysis of port infrastructure development at the 7th Annual Lecture of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON). The event, scheduled for Thursday, will take place at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, and is expected to begin at 10:00 a.m.
Dr. Dantsoho, who recently concluded tours of the Western and Eastern Ports, previously unveiled an ambitious plan to modernize the Lagos Ports, aiming to increase container traffic from the current two million containers annually to over seven million. This initiative is part of a broader modernization agenda requiring significant financial investment by the NPA, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global trade logistics.
The 2024 AMJON lecture is themed “Nigeria’s Maritime/Blue Economy Industry under the Renewed Hope Agenda: What is New” and will delve into the untapped potential of the Nigerian Blue Economy, estimated to be worth $1.9 trillion. The event seeks to stimulate conversations on the implications of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the establishment of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Key figures expected at the event include the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who will serve as the Special Guest of Honour, and the Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), who will be inducted as a Patron of AMJON and chair the event. Other prominent guests include Barr. Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), alongside various maritime industry leaders.
The outgoing president of AMJON, Paul Ogbuokiri, highlighted the significance of this year’s conference, stating that it will foster collaborative dialogue among stakeholders to advance the maritime industry. “This event will provide a platform for stakeholders and investors to explore opportunities in the Blue Economy sector and understand the enabling environment created by the government for sustainable investments,” Ogbuokiri remarked.
In addition to the lecture, the event will feature the installation of patrons, presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians, and the inauguration of the newly elected AMJON executives, led by Mr. Kelvin Kagbare, who will steer the association for the next three years.
Ogbuokiri assured that this year’s lecture would provide valuable insights into the government’s policies and programs aimed at unlocking the full potential of the Blue Economy. He described the event as a critical step toward positioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
The 2024 AMJON lecture promises to be a milestone in fostering innovation, collaboration, and investment in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
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