Happy ‘new year’!

We can feel people shrink and ask; how can you talk of happy New Year (a ritual that is meant only for past midnight of every December 31) on November 3 ?. It is a new year for us in Shipping Position Weekly. As a matter of fact, our first year ended on October 29, 2008 when we turned one year.
It has been a very fulfilling year for us as a media organisation and it became all the more fulfilling after last Wednesday’s celebration of our first anniversary where the crème de la crème of politics and the economy converged on Lagos to share in our moment of joy.
How can we thank the chief whip of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha who came in from the nation’s capital in Abuja solely for the programme. We are deeply touched by the fact that a prominent figure like the former managing director of Nigerian Ports Authourity, Chief Adebayo Sarumi not only honoured us with his presence, but had to delay his flight out of Lagos for many hours; just to be a part of the historic event.
The freight forwarding family, now united under the umbrella of the Council for the regulation of freight forwarding practice came in full force ; no talk about association, just celebrations.
The presence of other key players from shipping, port operations and regulation as well as others key areas really made our day and added glamour, honour and candour to the celebrations.
Now that we know how much you love us and how much you value the little that we do, we have no choice, but to be more diligent in what we what we do; putting the industry and the nation first.
We have spent the last few weeks ruminating about the encomiums that were showered on us and mote importantly, the suggestions that were offered by our numerous readers and advertisers.
First, we were advised to increase our pagination, second we were told to improve on our colour separation.
We have already begun subtle preparation for upgrading Shipping Position Weekly into a 12-page newspaper. But, this will become a reality come January 2009, by the grace of the Almighty.
As we step into our ‘new year’, we can only assure all that we will not depart form the path of professionalism. We will still maintain our editorial slant; after all, this is what has earned us the numerous accolades.