In the bid to keep journalists reporting the maritime sector abreast with the new technologies and ICT based services so as to set agendas for a productive sector, the Nigeria Customs Service has organised a one day training workshop for the media.
The training which was aimed to educate and inform the media about required operating environment of the Customs, was themed “Commercial Terms and Phrases in the Nigerian Maritime Industry ” and was co-trained with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (,MSC).
Speaking at the training workshop, Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said that it has become important for maritime journalists to acquire the necessary knowledge in current operating environment of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The CGC who was ably represented by Comptroller Dera Nnadi, CAC Tincan Island Port Command, said that the training will assist the media in updating their knowledge about the industry, and at such to convey critical information to the public.
He however urged participants to ensure full concentration during the training, remain focussed and dedicated so that the laudable objectives behind the programmes would be achieved.
Also speaking, the Controller of Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu expressed satisfaction over the participants and the level of interaction by the media practitioners.
In his paper presentation, the Deputy Managing Director of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Mr. Jacob Iosso disclosed that MSC tops liners with most Nigerian exports and the company handles Over 40,000 TEUs Nigerian agricultural produces to other part of the world in the last 10 months.
Iosso said that the figures would have risen but the natural disaster which ravaged some parts of the country affected the number of exports handled by the liner.
According to him,the volume of goods which the company handled in 2024 surpasses that of last year 2023.
“In the past 12 months ,we have shipped out over 40,000 TEUs but I don’t have the exact number up hand but I know is over 40,000 “.
He further explained that the exported goods are mostly Soya Beans, Sesame seeds, Coco and other crops”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the workshop plannig committee chairman, Mr. Innocent Orok , said that a lot have evolves in the maritime sector, most especially new technologies and ICT based services which the media must be abreast with to properly educate, inform and set agendas for a productive sector.
Orok hinted that it is pertinent to note that maritime journalists deserves training and empowerment, adding not that, journalism practice is for the good of the society.
In his words”This is just the first phase , as every practicing journalists will benefit from the subsequent editions. 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 institutionalized it as a yearly , twice yearly or quarterly training workshop.
“The template has been set by a man who grew in ranks through the media , he loves the media and always working to see that Maritime Journalists whom he is part of moves to d next level”.
Giving an insight to what prompted the traini g workshop, Orok said: “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 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”.
“Comptroller Nnadi’s position was that the issue the journalist was writing about has been addressed 20 years ago, with various Customs trade facilitation/ ICT tools like Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Asycuda, NICIS and now B’ Odogwu which are all trade facilitation tools put in place by the Customs to fast tract clearance of goods from the ports.
“In a sharp response, I reacted by saying because journalists are not trained that is why they are reporting backward trends.
In his usual character, Comptroller Dera Nnadi responded ” Innocent man, I nominate you Chairman of capacity building for the media for a One day workshop on “Commercial Terms and Phrases in the Nigeria Maritime Industry.
We can get donors to sponsor it.
“Ladies and gentlemen that is why we are gathered here and I, standing before you today. “Though, it has not been easy to put this event together due to the hash economic realities of our polity, but is worth it.
“Dear colleagues, it is pertinent to note that Maritime Journalists deserves training and Empowerment, not minding who initiate or champion it”, Orok said.
The high point of the training workshop was the presentation of appreciation/recognition Plaques to sponsors and veteran maritime journalists.
