MARAN Rallies Industry Big Wigs for Annual Maritime Lecture on War Risk Insurance

BY ALEX AKAO

All is now set for the much anticipated maritime journalists’ 2025 annual conference with top players in the industry expected to converge, Wednesday, at the prestigious Four Points by Sheraton hotel. Lagos.

The event tagged, Maritime Annual Lecture (MAMA), organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), will focus on the theme: “Addressing the Burden of War Risk Insurance on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade.”

A release signed by the association’s President Godfrey Bivbiere said Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, will attend as Special Guest of Honour, while the event will also feature the participation of major industry regulators, operators, and security stakeholders.

Prominent industry leaders expected at the lecture include the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Gregory Oaemen and the Executive Director (Operations & Technical) of Tantita Security Services, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh.

The event will be chaired by Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman of Starzs Investment Ltd, with the keynote address to be delivered by maritime lawyer, Dr. Emeka Akabogu. Other guests of honour include Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chairman, Integrated Oil & Gas.

According to Bivbere, MAMAL 2025 will provide a platform for frank discussions and pragmatic recommendations to ease the huge financial burden imposed by war risk insurance premiums on vessels calling at Nigerian ports.

He noted that the outcome of the lecture would serve as a guide for policy makers and industry players in addressing the issue, and permanently put the abnormal premium payments to rest.

He assured that this year’s edition would be impactful and solution-driven, considering the calibre of participants and the relevance

“Now in its third edition, MAMAL has become a key platform for constructive dialogue among stakeholders in dissecting pressing issues affecting the growth and sustainability of the maritime sector”, he added.