By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The *National Grand Patron of Team Grassroots Voice* an APC support group, and Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Island Chapter, Prince Wale Cole, has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as efforts to reposition the nation’s economy and strengthen critical sectors, particularly the Marine and Blue Economy.
Cole, in his Independence Day message, said the renewed attention being given to the maritime sector under the Tinubu administration was a significant step towards harnessing Nigeria’s vast maritime resources for economic growth, job creation, investment and national development.
He specifically commended President Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and for placing greater emphasis on the sector as a strategic component of the country’s economic diversification agenda.
According to Cole, Nigeria’s maritime industry possesses enormous potential to contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, create employment opportunities for young Nigerians, generate government revenue and position the country as a major maritime hub in Africa.
He, however, called for sustained implementation of reforms and stronger collaboration among government agencies and private-sector stakeholders to ensure that the renewed focus on the maritime sector produces measurable benefits for Nigerians.
Cole said the country’s 66th Independence Anniversary should not only be a period of celebration but also an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the progress made since independence and the work that remains to be done in building a stronger, more prosperous and competitive nation.
He noted that the success of the Federal Government’s economic reforms would ultimately depend on the ability to translate policy initiatives into improved living standards, lower business costs, greater investment and expanded opportunities for Nigerians.
The ANLCA Tin Can chairman urged the government to sustain its efforts towards improving port infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks in cargo clearance, strengthening maritime security and creating an enabling environment for legitimate trade.
He stressed that the efficiency of Nigeria’s ports remained critical to the country’s economic competitiveness, warning that high logistics costs, delays and other operational challenges could undermine the benefits of reforms in the maritime and trade sectors.
Cole also called for greater attention to the development of Nigerian youths within the maritime industry, saying that the sector could provide substantial employment and entrepreneurial opportunities if properly harnessed.
He said the development of the blue economy should go beyond policy pronouncements to include investments in shipping, shipbuilding and repair, marine transportation, fisheries, seafaring, port logistics, maritime technology and other areas of the maritime value chain.
The ANLCA chieftain further urged stakeholders in the maritime industry to support initiatives capable of strengthening Nigeria’s position as a regional maritime hub.
Cole’s message also reflected his longstanding involvement in political mobilisation within the APC. He served as Director of Planning and Strategies for the Independent Campaign Council (ICC) Youth Wing of the APC during the 2023 general elections, where he was involved in the mobilisation of youths, including maritime stakeholders, in support of President Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
As National Grand Patron of Team Grassroots Voice, Cole has continued to participate in activities supporting the administration and its policies, while maintaining his involvement in the maritime industry as chairman of the ANLCA Tin Can Island Chapter.
He said his experience across both the maritime and political spheres had reinforced his belief that national development required sustained cooperation between government and stakeholders across different sectors of the economy.
Cole urged Nigerians to remain committed to peace, unity, productivity and national development, stressing that the responsibility of building a better Nigeria could not be left to government alone.
He called on the private sector, professional associations, organised labour, youths and other citizens to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development while holding public institutions accountable for delivering on their responsibilities.
He congratulated President Tinubu, members of the Federal Executive Council, state governors, the National Assembly, security agencies, maritime stakeholders and Nigerians at home and abroad on the occasion of the 66th Independence Anniversary.
Cole expressed optimism that with sustained reforms, stronger institutions, improved infrastructure and greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, Nigeria could unlock its enormous economic potential and build a more prosperous future for its citizens.
