Maritime Journalists Empowered Through Retreat on Emerging Technologies

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The Maritime Correspondents Organization of Nigeria (MARCON) has taken a bold step to strengthen the capacity of journalists covering the maritime sector by organizing a two-day retreat at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. The retreat, themed “Maximizing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Import and Export Trade”, brought together editors, publishers, and reporters from both traditional and new media to explore how technology can transform Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Held at De Maris Hotel, the retreat featured lectures, discussions, and a guided tour of the Lekki Seaport complex, exposing participants to state-of-the-art equipment and operations that position the port as a leading hub in Sub-Saharan Africa.

MARCON President, Ismail Aniemu, emphasized the importance of retraining journalists to ensure informed and impactful reporting. He noted that the retreat was designed to equip practitioners with knowledge to support government policies, particularly the forthcoming National Single Window Project, which is expected to revolutionize trade processes in 2026.

Aniemu highlighted Nigeria’s strategic role as a maritime hub for West and Central Africa, stressing that inefficiencies such as prolonged vessel turnaround times hinder competitiveness. He reaffirmed MARCON’s commitment to promoting journalism that aligns with national economic aspirations and enhances public enlightenment on maritime issues.

Participants described the retreat as refreshing, knowledge-based, and eye-opening, underscoring the value of continuous training in sharpening journalistic skills for modern-day reportage.