By Oluyinka Onigbinde & Joshua Yousouph
The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has fixed June 23, 2026, for the inauguration of its newly elected Executive Council, with the association pledging to strengthen ethical journalism as a catalyst for maritime sector development.
The inauguration ceremony, scheduled to take place at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, is expected to attract top government officials, maritime regulators, industry operators, security agencies, freight forwarders and media practitioners from across the country.
The event, themed “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development,” will serve as a platform to examine the role of responsible journalism in promoting transparency, accountability and sustainable growth within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a critical step in the association’s efforts to deepen professionalism and credibility in maritime reporting.
According to him, the new executive council will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger stakeholder in the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement with industry players and strict adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the maritime industry remains a strategic pillar of Nigeria’s economy, stressing that credible and responsible journalism is essential for ensuring balanced reporting and informed public discourse on issues affecting the sector.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” Onigbinde said.
He also called on maritime agencies, industry operators and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
The inauguration will feature a keynote address by public relations and event management expert, Bolaji Abimbola, while the President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, will chair the occasion.
Expected as Special Guests of Honour are the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Other participants expected at the event include heads of maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarding groups, industry leaders and other stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
The ceremony will formally usher in the new leadership of MARAN, which is expected to steer the association towards greater relevance and influence in Nigeria’s maritime industry.
