By Stephen Ubanna
Barely one year in office as the minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who incidentally was a former governor of Osun s appears to have left no one in doubt that he has mastered the language of the maritime sector to communicate with the industry players, both within and outside the country.
The minister who was said to have joined the maritime industry operators to speak their language at the 2024, International Maritime Organization, IMO, a United Nation’s UN, maritime agency, seafarers day celebration, appears to have shown his expertise in his prepared speech.
The minister who could not hide his feelings may have gladdened the heart of the seafarers when he declared that they are ‘’the livewire of the maritime industry and essential to the success of the nation’s blue economy’’.
The former Osun state governor, has every reason to believe that they are the livewire of the maritime sector because ‘’seafarers endure the isolation of the open sea , the unpredictability of the weather and the myriads of challenges that come with navigating some of the world’s busiest and most perilous waters like the Gulf of Guinea’’.
He noted that the seafarers resilience , dedication and unwavering commitment to ensure that goods and resources reach every corner of the entire planet , supporting livelihoods and promoting national trade bear eloquent testimony to their strategic importance to the global economy.
Babatude Bombata, Director , Maritime Safety and Security in the ministry, who was said to have represented the minister at the 2024, seafarers day celebrations , which gave him the ample opportunity to deliver the ministerial speech may have gladdened the heart of the seafarers when he declared that the Federal Government ‘’remains committed to collaborating with industry stakeholders’’.
The Osun state born politician had opined that the Nigerian Government will remain ‘’steadfast in advocating for the rights and welfare of the nation’s seafarers’’. He was emphatic that the government will remain committed to providinga comprehensive training programmes, enforcing stringent safety regulations and offering continuous support to ensure that that the Nigerian seafarers will be among the best trained and most resilient in the world economy’’.
An elated Oyetola may have spoken the mind of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he disclosed that the government is dedicated ‘’to building on the foundation of making the country’s trained seafarers the best in the world by ensuring that they are well- equipped ‘’to meet the challenges and opportunities of the modern maritime landscape.
Bombata, a Director in the ministry of marine and blue economy who has the mandate of the minister to speak for him, was said to have pledged the ministry’s resolve ‘’to prioritize the growth and development of the marine and blue economy sector , believed that will greatly benefit all Nigerians and the future generations’’.
The Director, was said to have also used the opportunity provided by the 2024, seafarers’ Day , celebrations, ‘’to solicit for stakeholders’ support in the development of the all-important sector, noting that ‘’the ministry cannot undertake the task alone’’.
As a prelude to meeting the challenges faced by the seafarers, he had said that the ministry is closely working together with other stakeholders in the private sector, international Organizations like the IMO, and other government agencies ‘’to create an enabling environment for the growth of the marine and blue economy’’.
Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun, Chairman, Senate Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration , along with his Counterpart in the House of Representatives , were said to have applauded the seafarers for their resilience and reassured them of the Federal Government’s continuous support ‘’to guarantee their well-being’’.
The duo were said to have assured the seafarers of the readiness of the National Assembly to work closely with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, under the close watch of Dayo Mobereola, and other industry stakeholders ‘’to support any legislation aimed at advancing the rights and safety of all seafarers. It was not surprising why the Lawmakers had volunteered information that together they will continue to strive for the growth of the global maritime sector that is equitable and inclusive for all’’. Of the seafarers’
Mobereola, NIMASA, Director General, on his part had acknowledged the uniqueness of the seafarer’s profession and the challenges faced by them. The NIMASA Director General who is very economical with the use of words had said with the theme for this year’s seafarers celebrations, ‘’Navigating the Future: Safety First, which is a call to address the challenging conditions faced by the seafarers while navigating the waters. This may have informed why he had emphasized the need for greater focus on their well-being and safety at sea’’.
He had said that the agency duly recognize the humongous challenges the seafarers navigating the seas had faced while sailing , ranging from the activities of pirates, sea robbers, kidnappers , health risks to unfair treatment of employers.
The NIMASA, Chief Executive Officers, CEO,, may have shocked Nigerians, when he noted that notwithstanding these challenges faced by the seafarers navigating the seas, Nigeria in the last two years of ocean going vessels laden with cargoes sailing in Nigerian waters has’’ recorded zero piracy incidents but noted that the agency will not rest on it oars as the life of every seafarer matters’’.
He had made it clear to those that cares to listen that the maritime regulatory agency will continue to collaborate with local and international Organizations to address global issues affecting the seafarers and ensure their safety while navigating in the future.
The NIMASA, helmsman who is in a better position to speak on the Nigerian Seafarers?, because of his advantage, had said that Nigeria has a young population to compete with other maritime nations like Philippines, South Korea and Singapore, particular, whose seafarers contribute to their Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
He had stated clearly that that NIMASA, under his Leadership will continue to invest in training and capacity –building programmes to enhance seafarers skills , welfare and employment opportunities. He has given insight of the agency plans to domesticate all International Labour Organization ILO, Conventions that that had been ratified by the Nigerian Government.
Note that some of the ILO, laws that were said to have been ratified by the Nigerian Government and currently being implemented by the agency include Maritime Labour Conventions. MLC, 2006, as amended, the Seafarers Identity Document, SID, Convention as amended and the Dork Work Convention.
He was said to have told the seafarers that they have no cause to worry as the agency will continue ‘’to focus on implementing programmes and projects to improve on their welfare, mental health support , safety training and emergency assistance. He was said to have stated further that the agency will continue to eliminate substandard vessel from sailing in Nigeria waters as well as ensure that wrecks are removed to aid navigation and safety of seafarers
He had alluded to the fact that many beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP, are currently undergoing mandatory sea –time training aboard ocean-going vessels, noting that that the agency is collaborating with key stakeholders like the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company, NLNG, Shipping and Marine Services Limited, , the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, , Indigenous Shipping Companies and the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, which were said to be geared towards boosting the capacity of the nation’s seafarers.
Osagie Edward, an Assistant Director, and spokesperson, NIMASA, had said that the seafarers Day is organized by the IMO Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General, IMO, message that the 2024, seafarers Day Campaign will look at their contribution to making the maritime sector a safer workplace speaks volume.
The IMO , Secretary General, who had said that seafarers spend a great deal of their time on board ocean going vessels, which provides many opportunities for them ‘’to take pictures of their working environment , highlighting how they keep their workplace safe’ is very revealing’.
Going down the memory lane IMO, Secretary General, had said that the Day of the Seafarer, June 25, was established in a resolution by 2010, Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised, Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping foe Seafarers, STWC, Convention. The IMO Chief had said that the purpose is ‘’to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.
He had asserted that the resolution encourages member countries of the IMO respective governments shipping Organizations, companies, Ship-owners, and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the seafarer and take action to celebrate it meaningfully’’. The Day of the seafarer has been recognized by the UN, as an ‘’Observance day’’.
Katie Higginbottom, from the International Transport ederaion, ITF, who was said to have joined the 2024 seafarers celebration virtually was said to have emphasized that that seafarers are a critical part of the global maritime and cannot be ignored. She had commended NIMASA’s renewed collaboration with the ITF, to ensure that seafarers receive the necessary attention from their respective countries governments.
Ma Meija, a Professor and President, World Maritime University, who was said to have also joined the 2024, seafarers Day, virtually in Nigeria, was said to have expressed gratitude to the Nigerian seafarers and described them as ’’the modern day ` heroes ` who deserve celebration’’.
In their goodwill messages, stakeholders were said to have taking turns to praise the invaluable contributions of the seafarers to the global economy, urging governments of maritime nations to continue supporting them through favourable policies that will enhance their well-being in line with MLC, 2006.
Adewale Adeyanju, President –General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Mustapha Hassan, a Rear Admiral and Flag Officer, Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria’ commercial nerve centre, and President of the Ship-owners Association, among others, had said that international Day of the seafarers which is celebrated yearly, precisely on June 25, to recognize the contributions of the seafarers to international seaborne trade and the world economy is a welcome development.
