MARAN Annual Lecture Holds Thursday

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at the prestigious Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos , host the crème-de- la-crème of the maritime industry at its annual talk seminar; with the  theme “AfCFTA: Dismantling Trade Barriers, Navigating Regional Trade.”

Speaking on the upcoming end-of-year event, MARAN President, Mr.  Godfrey Bivbere said the seminar is designed to provide in-depth insights into the workings of the Africa’s Free Trade Agreement and its implications for regional and global commerce.

He said the MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture will be an assembly of key industry stakeholders, policymakers, and experts from across the maritime and trade sectors to discuss strategies for maximizing the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

This is even as the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who will play the role of the Special Guest of Honour, will deliver a keynote address, underscoring the Federal Government’s initiatives and commitment to dismantling trade barriers and fostering a competitive blue economy.

The workshop will also feature prominent dignitaries, including Olusegun Awolowo, Secretary, AfCFTA Nigeria;    and Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, renowned maritime expert and former Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Others include Dr. Muda Yussuf, an eminent economist and the CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), and Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, who is expected to serve as the Guest of Honour.

While encouraging all maritime stakeholders, industry players, and interested members of the public to to avail themselves of the talk shop, Bivebere assured that the event holds a lot of promise for the participants as discussions will feature panelists  regarded as authority in AfCFTA .