The erstwhile Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho; Chairman, Starzs Group, Mr Greg Ogbeifun; Chief Executive Officer, Skellas Group, Prince Olayiwola Shittu and others have given their nod to attend the much awaited reception of past Presidents of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN).
The reception which is scheduled to take place this Friday, April 24 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos is expected to be a melting point for who is who in the maritime industry as more and more stakeholders indicate interest to attend the event.
The event is meant to honour former presidents of MARAN for their invaluable inputs in the leadership of the umbrella body for journalists covering the maritime sector of the economy.
Besides these key stakeholders, notable dignitaries from corporate organisations, industry groups and government institutions, including the ones under the purview of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy have all indicated interest to grace the occasion.
MARAN, which was founded 38 years ago, had in a statement announced that it has concluded plans for the grand reception in honour of its distinguished past presidents.
According to the statement signed by Chairman, MARAN Caretaker Committee, Tunde Ayodele and Chairman, Planning Committee, Funsho Olojo, the reception will serve as a platform to reflect on the legacies of past presidents whose leadership helped position the association as a respected voice in the maritime space.
Ayodele said that the event would also provide an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the media and industry operators at a time when the sector was undergoing significant reforms and modernization efforts.
On his part, Olojo averred that the willingness of stakeholders to support and attend the event underscored its importance to the wider maritime community.
“MARAN as the progenitor of beat associations in the maritime industry, has produced individuals who had sacrificed their time, energy and intellects to make MARAN the greatest beat association in the maritime industry.
“More encouraging is the fact that all of these past leaders are currently doing well in their different endeavours,”he said.
Giving an insight into the programme for the reception, the Olojonsaid the event was expected to feature award presentations, goodwill messages, and networking sessions that would foster deeper engagement among stakeholders while celebrating excellence in maritime journalism.
According to Olojo, as the momentum continues to build, the association therefore calls on industry stakeholders, corporate organisations, and well-meaning individuals to be part of this historic event through sponsorships, partnerships, and active participation.
MARAN remains the foremost maritime journalists beat association with an International Press Centre (IPC) situated at its secretariat in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Apapa, Lagos.
It is also a professional body that is committed to promoting ethical journalism, capacity building, and informed reporting within Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sector.
