Saturday, 24 August 2024

Creation of Marine Blue Economy Ministry A Monumental Steps By President Tinubu - Oyetola

Creation of Marine Blue Economy  Ministry A Monumental Steps By President Tinubu - Oyetola 


"We are engaging with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food & Drug  Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant stakeholders to address the issue of rejection of Nigeria agricultural produce in other countries." - Barrister Akutah 

"We cannot underscore the importance of revenue generation within our customs administration.” - CGC Adeniyi 

"We know where and how they squander their media budgets, but that is a matter for another day. I plead that this attitude and arrogance should cease and that CEOS accord journalists the respect they deserve." - Timothy Okorocha 


By: Bisi Akingbade 


The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega  Oyetola, CON,  has disclosed that the vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR to create the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria's maritime sector which was not only a demonstration of the Presidents deep understanding of the economic possibilities of the sector, but also a clear indication of his political will to ensure that Nigeria reclaims its rightful place as a key maritime player globally.

Oyetola made this disclosure during the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the League of Maritime Editors at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Oyetola, who was ably represented  by the Director, Maritime Services, Mr. Babatunde Sule, said that the maritime industry has the potential to transform Nigeria's economy, create jobs, and improve livelihoods with its rich coastline and strategic location. 

He said the creation of Marine and Blue Economy Ministry therefore reflects Government commitment to building a future where the blue economy plays a major role in national prosperity in bringing this vision to life, 

"We are working to reposition the sector by improving port efficiency, enhancing infrastructure, boosting maritime security, and developing the workforce. Additionally, we aim to sustainably leverage maritime resources to create jobs, increase revenue, and promote environmental stewardship.

In his own address, the Executive Secretary/CEO Nigerian Shipper's Counci, NSC, Barrister Pius Akutah, MON, said that the Council is engaging with Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON, National Agency for Food & Drug  Administration and Control, NAFDAC,  on rejection of Nigeria agricultural produce in other countries.

Akutah said "We are engaging with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food & Drug  Administration and Control( NAFDAC), and other relevant stakeholders to address the issue of rejection of Nigeria agricultural produce in other countries.

He noted  that over 90% of port processes  and operations are now automated as contributions to achieving the Federal Government's agenda as it relates to the marine and blue economy sector:

Barrister Akutah also said that Nigerian Shippers' Council, will continue to promote and advocate for full digitalisation of port process and operations in Nigerian ports, which is in line with the Federal Government's "Renewed Hope" and also as its mandate as the nation's port economic regulator. "I am happy to inform this gathering that over 90% of Nigerian port process and operations are now automated.

Barrister Akutah represented by the Director, Strategic Planning and Research,  NSC, Rotimi Anifowose highlighted some of the incumbent measures taken by the council which includes; Establishment of Border Information Centres (BICS) at official borders across the country.

"We have four operational BICs located at Seme-Krake border, Jibia-Maradi border, Illela border, and Mfum border

"Furthermore, we are engaging the shipping companies and terminal operators on the need to establish fair and competitive tariff in order to forestall the diversion of cargoes to other neighbouring countries.

Also the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, said that the service has explored so many ways to balance compliance with revenue generation.


CGC Adeniyi said that the agency has been evolving ways to enhance trade facilitation, including stakeholder enlightenment, education and advocacy programmes as ways to reduce smuggling and increase revenue collection. 

"Trade is synonymous with the growth of any nation, and with Nigeria as a developing nation with limited industrial capacity but a growing population in need of food, accommodation, security and general wellbeing, “we cannot underscore the importance of revenue generation within our customs administration.”

Speaking earlier, the immediate past president of League of Maritime Editors, LOME, High Chief Timothy Okorocha highlighted worrisome trend of CEOs of Federal government agencies operating in the maritime industry.

He said  that journalists have observed a worrisome trend in which CEOS of the agencies of the federal government operating in the maritime industry always give the maritime media of which they are fond of shunning media groups' invitation to events despite that these workshops and conferences are industry tailored and directly linked to their operations and services.

"As a senior practitioner and as the outgoing President of the League with very rich career exposure that has spanned over three decades including working at the Daily Times of Nigeria at management level, I will be failing in my responsibility as a senior professional to gloss over the attitude of some of the maritime industry CEOS.

"It is even more disturbing to note that some of these CEOS who neglect to accord the maritime media their personal presence quite often host non industry media groups and different camps of stakeholders within and outside the industry; but consistently throw up excuses why they are unable to set aside few hours to identify with the industry media. I don't know what makes them think that throwing some peanuts at the maritime media from the huge media budget at their control, that they have done more than enough and look past us as they wish.

"This arrogance must stop and I want to charge media practitioners and the beat associations to sit up and refuse to accept this subtle insult in the future. Nothing is more meaning than for a CEO to be in office for three straight years and refuse to show up in any event organized by media beat associations; because they think that associating with journalists outside of their own events is perhaps, beneath them.

"We know where and how they squander their media budgets, but that is a matter for another day. I plead that this attitude and arrogance should cease and ask that CEOS accord journalists the respect they deserve." He concluded.

Maritime Stakeholders at the event are: Mr. Babatunde Sule,  Director, Maritime Services, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Anifowose, Deputy Director, Strategic Planning and Research,  NSC, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, CAC Tin Customs Command, Captain Jerome Bitrus  Angyunwe.