MAJAN Commissions Secretariat in Lagos
MAJAN Commissions Secretariat in Lagos
* Honours Dr Aniebonam as Freight Forwarder General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(Report by Asuquo Nuwark)
The Maritime Journalists Association Of Nigeria (MAJAN) commissioned its Secretariat in Apapa on Thursdays 8th September 2022.
The welcome address delivered by the President of MAJAN, comrade Ray Ugochukwu, narrated the journey of MAJAN which started in 2016 after the failure of merger of various maritime Journalists’ groups.
However, it is heart-warming to note that MAJAN was formed under a mango tree in the premises of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF). While commissioning MAJAN Secretariat, Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, the President of MAJAN, acknowledged and commended NAGAFF leadership for supporting Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who made the stay of MAJAN members at NAGAFF memorable.
He expressed his gratitude and that of MAJAN members to Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for assisting the association to realise the dream of getting MAJAN Secretariat.
He also thanked and commended the robust contributions of Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA), Comet Shipping, Wharf Landing Fee Collecting Authority and National Council of Managing-Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) for rendering wonderful support to the association.
Ray Ugochukwu further expressed appreciation to Mr Okey Ibeke who gave the first support with which the association took off.
Similarly, Ray Ugochukwu , appreciated Dr. Emeka Martins Enebeli, President, Nigerian Institute of Shipping, for being a father to the association in various uncountable ways and Alhaji Isa Kazeem Adua, for his assistance to the association.
He commended the efforts of Tony Iju Nwabunike, ANLCA President, Dr. Kayode Farinto, ANLCA Vice-President and Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila, ANLCA National Secretary for tremendous assistance to the group.
During the inspection of the facilities, a number of key challenges identified included planned ultra-modern studio for video and audio recordings for internal operations and commercial purposes.
Also identified was an apartment designated as Newsroom for the production of the association publication, The Powerful Pen Newspaper.
During the commissioning ceremony, MAJAN President, used the opportunity to appeal to critical stakeholders for assistance and support, in order to achieve set goal of ensuring the enthronement of international best practices in the maritime sub-sector of the economy, and to make the Secretariat a conducive place for journalistic operations.
Dignitaries who were at commissioning ceremony included, the Founder of NAGAFF, NNPP and the Freight Forwarder-General of Nigeria (FFGN), Dr Boniface Aniebonam, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila, ANLCA’s National Secretary, Hajia Bola Muse, CEO of Bomarah Investment Limited and ACN Samuel Magaji, Assistant Commander, NDLEA, Apapa Port.
In his remarks, the Freight Forwarder-General of Nigeria (FFGN), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, advised Journalists to embark on constructive and investigative journalism, in order to add value to port operations.
He also advised Journalists not to fold their hands and watch the port system collapse. Speaking further, Dr Aniebonam noted that the Council For The Regulations of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is not an agency of government.
He also stated that the CRFFN is what government has given to freight forwarders through National Assembly to help freight forwarders come up with sustainable freight forwarding practice in Nigeria.
He noted that the problem ANLCA is having is affecting the entire system. He disclosed that for this reason, NAGAFF can not do much without ANLCA, equally ANLCA can not do much without NAGAFF.
In his submission, the ANLCA National Secretary, Alhaji Babatunde Mukaila, appreciated the association for the effort in trying to reposition maritime industry.
He promised to partner with MAJAN to make the Secretariat more conducive for operations.
Hajia Bola Muse, took time out to congratulate and appreciate the role MAJAN plays on reporting maritime industry.
