MSC Shipping, Zenith Bank Partners Customs In Maritime Journalists Training

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Comptroller Nnadi presenting a souvenir to Orok

Maritime journalists on Friday enjoyed a one-day training workshop courtesy of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), providing reporters and editors alike an interesting and insightful refresher class in customs trade terminologies; in the light of new trade tools and modern dynamics of global economy.

While giant global sea liner, MSC Shipping and Zenith Bank Plc co-sponsored the event, the former also participated actively in the training workshop held at the Apapa Customs Area Command Auditorium as it presented a paper titled “The Operating Environment: Commercial Terms and Phrases Used By Shipping Companies/Lines In Nigerian Ports.”

Declaring the workshop opened, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi noted that the training will go a long way in updating maritime journalists with latest and modern terminologies in customs and international trade.

Comptroller Olomu congratulating Aderibigbe for his award

The CGC who was represented by the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, further observed that the training will assist journalists in deploying appropriate in their reports, adding that such was important to help them in conveying critical and accurate industry and operational information to the public.

He emphasized the significance of deploying appropriate terminology and languages in reporting the industry to prevent ambiguity, misrepresentation and confusion.

He explained that an attempt to confuse or misconstrue developments in news reportage has costly effects and could lead to distortions in terms of facts and figures, and urged reporters to be abreast of

“By aligning our skills we strengthen both our efficiency and credibility, we ensure smoother trade facilitation that contributes to economic growth. For us we would continue to organize this workshop, we know some challenges that you face as media men, we have all acknowledged that the maritime industry is dynamic and we are were that there are tools that are required to make your job easier.

He continued, “To this end, the organizers through the support of our  sponsors, MSC Shipping and Zenith Bank has provided some tools that will aide you in performing more optimally.”

Ohakwe receiving his award from Comptroller Nnadi

Organiser of the workshop, Mr. Innocent Orok, Publisher/CEO Roam Reporters Media Concept in his addressed, explained that a poorly reported customs news story by a non maritime reporter provided the background to the workshop.

He explained that while Comptroller Nnadi felt concerned and was reacting to the said report believed to have subscribed to outdated terminologies and incorrect analysis, he (Orok) has challenged Nnadi not to complain but to accept such ill-fated reports which has arisen due to lack of training of beat reporters on new trends and tools.

Acknowledging the validity of Orok’s  position, the organizer said the Tin Can customs boss has simply asked him to work towards a training programme for maritime journalist, promising to secure both management’s approval and sponsors.

“On Sunday August 10, 2024, Comptroller Dera Nnadi posted a story link published in Saturday Vanguard by a Reporter from Awka, Anambra State with the headline “Challenges in Ports: Ezeibe points way out for Customs” in the Maritime Elders Whatsapp Platform.

“The story carries the picture of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. The summary of the story was that Customs causes delays in the clearance process to extort money and that the delays leads to  demurrage, which add to the cost of goods in the Nigerian markets.

“Beneath the story link, Comptroller Dera Nnadi wrote “See why we must leave maritime reporting for maritime media personnel”.

He explained that the conversation crystallized into the idea of training for maritime journalists.

“Truly speaking a lot have evolved in the maritime sector, especially new technologies and ICT based services which the media must be abreast of to be able to properly educate, inform and set agendas for a productive maritime sector.

“Maritime journalists deserve training and empowerment, after all, journalism practice is for the good of the society. Let me state here that the intension  of the initiator of this noble idea is for us the maritime journalists to take it, own it and institutionalize it as a yearly  training workshop.”

While the Deputy Managing Director, MSC Shipping, Mr. Jacob Iosso  presented a paper of shipping terminologies including Incoterms and CIF as it relates to exports of cargo, CSC Ibrahim Adeyinka of the Nigeria Customs Service, further exposed participants to some of the latest work tool terminologies including AOE, TRS, ARS, and other risk management tools.

Adeyinka explained that since the Revised KYOTO Convention in 2006, trade terms have undergone changes some of which are in line with 21^st century initiatives of the World Customs Organisations; and others induced by natural phenomenon such as Covid-19 pandemic that radically changed the dynamics of world trade.

Aside the CGC and Comptroller Nnadi, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu Ph.D, the Command Public Relations Officer, CSC Usman Abubakar, and his Tin Can Island Command counterpart, SC Ngozi Okwara were in attendance.

The event also witnessed the recognition of the event convener, Innocent Orok, and some veteran maritime journalists namely Dele Aderibigbe, Tony Ohakwe, Sesan Onileimon, Remi Itie and Elder Asu Beks.