Shittu Advocates Quality Industry Leadership Guidance

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Respected maritime industry personality, Prince Olayiwola Shittu  has lamented that shrinking maritime industry growth amid lowering leadership quality, and called for improved sense of patriotism by the political class and their appointees.

Elder Beks delivering Prince Shittu’s goodwill message during the seminar

Shittu, patron of the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers (LOMEP) who was speaking during the group’s annual seminar at the Lagos Airport Hotel last Friday, said the growth trajectory of the industry especially with regards to institutional governance systems has dropped in the last two decades.

This is even as he called on the industry media beat associations to close gap and come together in order to be able to provide quality developmental journalism, with the ability to fulfill its social contract role in holding public office holders accountable to the people.

The doyen of the Nigerian customs brokers and former President of the Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents (ANLCA), who was represented by maritime media personality, Elder Asu Beks, notes that institutional governance will improve if the media stops being partisan.

His goodwill message reads: “In my opinion, today should be a day of stock- taking on how the League has fared in the past 25 years.  Has the League achieved the dreams of its founding fathers? Has the welfare of maritime journalists been better than the likes of Remi Itie met it over 30 years ago? Has the industry made considerable progression ? Are the fortunes of Nigerian shipowners and other stakeholders better today than it was 30 years ago?

“As a patron of this Association, it will be very difficult for me to admit here that the flourishing industry we met several years ago has made any progress.  This is because those of us who find ourselves in leadership positions have failed to provide quality guidance”, adding:

“The media should be less partisan and rise up to their responsibilities at all times.”

He pointed out that a house divided against itself cannot stand and challenged LOMEP to collaborate with other critical stakeholders to initiate a unification of the various beat associations, which he believes will also enhance welfare and protection.

“ l send you my best wishes on this auspicious occasion of your Annual General Meeting.  But before I proceed further, let me congratulate my in-law and sister,  Remi Itie and other contestants who emerge victorious at the keenly contested elections last night.  We are happy that the elections were held in the most peaceful manner.  I want to urge  those who won to be magnanimous in victory. I urge Remi Itie and other members of the exco to stretch their hands of fellowship to other contestants in the overall interest of the League.

“In my opinion,  today should be a day of stock taking on how the League has fared in the past 25 years.  Has the League achieved the dreams of its founding fathers? Has the welfare of Maritime Journalists better than the likes of Remi Itie met it over 30 years ago? Has the industry made considerable progress? Are the fortunes of Nigerian shipowners and other stakeholders better today than it was 30 years ago?  As a patron of this Association, it will be very difficult for me to admit here that the flourishing industry we met several years ago has made any progression.

“This is because those of us who find ourselves in leadership position have failed to provide quality guidance.  I urge you as members of the fourth estate of the realm to up your game by calling on those in leadership positions to sit up and to hold them accountable.  The Media should be less partisan and rise up to their responsibilities at all times.”

Expressing sadness over the balkanization of the maritime media beat association,  he said, “I have also been saddened over the years about the proliferation of media associations in the maritime industry. As the saying goes, a house divided against itself cannot stand.  As a group made up of pioneers of maritime journalism in Nigeria,  I urge the League to initiate a unification project . That is only way the welfare of members can be better protected.

“May I also seize this opportunity for us as critical Stakeholders to initiate moves for the establishment of an endowment fund for welfare of maritime journalists.  I am aware that we have recently lost a handful of our members …don’t forget that as former Publicity Secretary of ANLCA , I am also a gentleman of the press.”

While saying he would gladly participate in any initiative put together to map out the proposed media endowment fund for maritime journalists, Shittu called attention to departed colleagues, with a minute silence in honour of their memory.

Participants at the event include the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho.

Others were the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Vice President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, Prince Segun Oduntan, Remi Ogungbemile, Chairman Association of Maritime Trucks Owners.

While Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, Controller, Tincan Island Command represented the CGC, Capt Jerome Anguyi, General Manager, Marine and Operations stood in for the MD NPA; with Rotimi Anifowose, standing in for Akutah.  The Ogun 1 Customs Area Command was represented by Assistant Controller C. Amawe.