The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, Ph.D has solidified the agency’s commitment to modernizing maritime trade. This vision of enhanced efficiency, complete transparency, and global competitiveness is actively driven and supported by objective and strategic media coverage within the sector.
As the Port Economic Regulator, the NSC is committed to achieving world-class efficiency across the nation’s maritime gateways. Dr. Akutah highlighted the media’s indispensable role in this transformation, noting that journalists are vital for informing stakeholders, shaping public discourse, and upholding the high standards of accountability required in a modern blue economy.
Speaking at the launch of the Centre for Maritime Media & Capacity Development, Mr. Moses Abere, representing the NSC CEO, praised maritime journalists for their years of dedicated service. By working hand-in-hand with regulators and operators, he noted, the media has played a vital role in deconstructing industry challenges and driving the narrative for a more robust blue economy in 2025.
According to him, the works of maritime journalists have contributed to greater transparency, improved public understanding, and stronger accountability within our maritime landscape.
He added, “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, in particular, under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, has benefitted from your professionalism and sustained coverage of our regulatory interventions, reforms, and collaborative efforts to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in the port environment.
“This decade-long journey affirms a simple truth: no maritime sector can advance without a strong, knowledgeable, and committed media community.
“As the maritime sector grows more complex; driven by digitalization, new trade realities, regulatory reforms, and global logistical shifts, journalism within this space must evolve accordingly”.
Akutah opined that to strengthen maritime journalism for the future requires the following:
- Deeper sectorial knowledge which maritime reporting must be anchored in technical accuracy, understanding of global practices, and an appreciation of regulatory frameworks.
- Digital Preparedness for the future journalist to be equipped to interrogate data, utilize digital tools, and apply emerging technologies such as Al in research, storytelling, and analysis.
- Ethical Excellence:
Accuracy, balance, and integrity are indispensable.
Misinformation in a sensitive sector like maritime can undermine policy, investor confidence, and national economic stability and lastly, Sustained Collaboration with Regulators”.
He congratulated the Chief Executive Officer of First Mediacon Network Limited , Mr Sesan Onilemo, for the initiative and for ensuring the event sees the light of the day.
“At the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, we remain committed to open communication and structured engagement with the media to enhance mutual understanding and sectoral development”, he said.
The organisers also unveiled the Centre for Maritime Media &Capacity Development.
Under the stewardship of a distinguished Advisory Board, the initiative tackles the future of the craft. Onilemo noted: ‘In an era defined by AI and social media, the need for continuous learning is non-negotiable. Maritime journalists are under intense pressure to deliver factual, high-speed reporting while maintaining their edge. We are empowering the press to master these digital tools, ensuring they remain the authoritative voice of the blue economy.
“The Centre for Maritime Media &Capacity Development, is our bold move to bridge this gap and also ensure that maritime journalists, irrespective of how young or old they are on the beat, will remain relevant.
”The Centre is open for partnership with interested corporate stakeholders. Our goal is collaboration for impact. Ultimately, the Nigerian maritime industry will benefit from this initiative”.
