Capacity Development: NIMASA Trains Maritime Journalists

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

In line with its secondary mandate, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) organized a one-day capacity building training for journalists covering the industry.

Flagging off the training, NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR noted that the agency is committed to building capacity in the maritime industry, not only for members of staff but also across the sub sectors and their stakeholders, including the media.

The one-day training programme was in collaboration with Maxval Nigeria Limited, a training and management consultants firm. The workshop training, which centred on Maritime Conventions and Codes, was broken down into three major components comprising: Introduction to Maritime Laws, Overview of key Maritime Codes and Conventions and NIMASA and Implementation of key Codes and Conventions.

Represented by the Director, Human Resources, Hamisu Gambo, the DG said: “NIMASA is conscious of the need to bring Journalists up to speed with current dynamics in the maritime industry across the globe, given that the industry by its very nature is international.

“NIMASA is desirous of tutoring journalists that cover the industry on the statutory functions of the agency. We also need to educate the Journalists on the need to project the country’s image in a positive manner because doing the otherwise would bring about unpleasant backlashes on the nation and its economy.”

He further urged journalists to put Nigeria’s interest first in their reportage of the industry, noting that most investment decisions are made based on media reports available on a particular country or jurisdiction, adding that one small negative report could cost the country several billions of dollars in both foreign and local investments.

The DG NIMASA further urged the participants to utilise the opportunity provided by the training to update themselves on current global issues in terms of international maritime laws, codes, conventions and protocols, which would enhance their reportage of the industry.

Some of the conventions treated include the United Nations International convention on Lives at Sea UNCLOS, Safety of Lives at Sea SOLAS, Marine Pollution Regulation Convention MARPOL, and the Standards for Safety and Watchkeeping STCW, International Labour Organisation Convention and the International Maritime Labour Convention IMLC, among others.

While commending NIMASA for for initiating the training programme, the participants noted that they their knowledge of the industry have been further impacted and recommended that such training should be done periodically, arguing that the maritime industry in itself is dynamic and always evolving.

Journalists also commended the lead presenter and chief resource person, Peter Agbaminoja Esq. for his in-depth knowledge of the industry and the areas covered by the training, noting that his approach and instruction style made learning simple and easy and the entire exercise worth the efforts.

Participants did not also forget to commend the Agency Head, Public Relations Department, Osagie Edward for his constantly identifying with his principal’s objective and helping to effectively drive the Agency’s public relations in much the same way he contributed in making the training programme a success.

In all, about 40 journalists were shortlisted for the training which was held at the Regent Luxury Suites, Ikeja Lagos, on Thursday, December 14, 2023.