The Nigerian Navy and the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) have called for stronger collaboration to promote maritime security, responsible reporting and the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, made the call when he received the executive members of MARCON, led by its President, Mr Ismail Aniemu, on a courtesy visit to the command.
Mustapha stressed the importance of responsible journalism in the maritime sector, which he said accounts for more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
He noted that activities in oil and gas, maritime trade, commerce and customs remained major sources of government revenue, making accurate reporting of developments in the sector critical to national development.
The FOC said journalists had an important role to play in holding government agencies and other stakeholders accountable, particularly by exposing irregularities and highlighting the challenges confronting seafarers and maritime workers.
He commended MARCON for going beyond conventional reporting by organising conferences and seminars aimed at educating stakeholders and promoting the growth of the marine and blue economy sector.
Mustapha said effective journalism could serve as a check on excesses by government agencies and other actors in the maritime industry.
‘Excesses of agencies are being checked by reporters. If you get the news and you say it, the people engaging in not-so-good things will check themselves because they know that you will hold them again,’ he said.
The FOC also disclosed that the Navy had been carrying out medical and educational outreaches in coastal communities as part of efforts to strengthen its relationship with residents and address some of their socioeconomic challenges.
He said responsible reporting of such initiatives would help improve public understanding of the Navy’s role and contribute to national development.
The President of MARCON Ismail Aniemu, commended the Nigerian Navy, particularly the Western Naval Command, for its contribution to improved security in the country’s maritime domain and efforts to suppress criminal activities in Nigerian waters.
He described the command as a critical security arm responsible for protecting the country’s maritime environment and infrastructure.
The MARCON president said Nigeria’s maritime security rating had improved significantly in recent years, particularly in the western waters.
According to him, the Navy has played a significant role in the successes recorded under the Deep Blue Project, particularly in efforts to tackle piracy, stowaway activities and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Aniemu said maritime reporters were stakeholders in Nigeria’s security and economic development, stressing the need to sustain a robust relationship between MARCON and the Navy.
He described journalism as both a profession and a civic responsibility, adding that MARCON would continue to use its platforms to set the agenda for discussions on critical issues affecting the maritime industry.
Aniemu also said MARCON had a responsibility to project Nigeria positively through balanced reporting to both Nigerians and the international community.
He added that Nigeria’s waters remained central to the country’s fishing industry, underscoring the need for sustained attention to developments in the maritime sector.