All roads lead to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for all journalists covering the nation’s shipping sector in both the print and electronic media, Public Relations personnel in the maritime industry and other stakeholders, as the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) convenes a three-day brainstorming session at the Customs Staff College, Gwagwalada, Thursday and Friday, this week.
In a press release signed by Messrs Ray Ugochukwu and Enyeribe Anyanwu, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, of the Organising Committee, the duo explained that the theme for the gathering is Effective Media/Public Relations Synergy for Maritime Development, even as the various government agencies in the maritime industry will use the opportunity to present their performance scorecards to the public.
The Organising Committee stated: “One-time spokesman of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mallam Garba Shehu, will be the Lead Resource Person, in an occasion where the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, will be Special Guest of Honour.
“Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, will declare the event open, while the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, will deliver the keynote address.
“The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, is the Chief Host at the event, which the Comptroller-General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi will chair the occasion.”
According to the statement, government agencies slated to make presentations at the retreat include the Nigerian Ports authority (NPA), which will deliver a paper on Nigerian Ports Authority and Port Concession: The Journey So Far and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),which topic is Shipping Development in Nigeria: An Overview.
The Organising Committee added: “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) will be educating participants on the topic, Stemming High Cost of Doing Business in Nigerian Ports: Role of the Nigerian Shippers’Council and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is to talk on Destination Inspection: The Role of Nigeria Customs Service After June 30, 2013.
“MARAN President, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, wishes all participants a fruitful deliberation at the three-day event that would be rounded off with a communiqué.”
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