Chinazor Megbolu
In a bid to chart a new course in maritime journalism, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (AMJON), the new umbrella body of all maritime journalists has inaugurated a new executive body and Board of Trustees (BoT) to take the sector to another level in maritime reportage.
The event held recently in Lagos following the advice of the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi on the need to show example, through conducts that promotes integrity and professionalism.
The event had observers drawn from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council and National Association of Govt. Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Commissioner of Police, Ports, amongst others were in attendance to witness the elections.
At the end of the election, the Editor, The Journal, Mr. Ismail Aniemu emerged President; Mr. Paul Ogbokiri of New Telegraph, Vice President; Mrs. Clementine Okonye of COOL / WAZOBIA FM, Secretary General; and Innocent Orok of This Page Newspaper, Treasurer.
Other winners were; Mr. Femi Orioye of OGBC FM, Financial Secretary; Mr. Kelvin Ighokagbare of Maritime Nigeria, Public Relations Officer; Mr. UcheUsim of Daily Sun Newspapers, Provost 1 and Mr. Stan Okenwa of Champion Newspapers, Assistant Secretary General.
The BoT members, are; Mr. AsuBeks, Chairman, Mr. UbongAkpan , Mr. Friday Odemena and Mr. EguonoOdjegba are members.
Speaking after the election, Aniemu on behalf of the executive members described the formation of AMJON and the elections as victory for maritime journalism and practitioners and added that AMJON doors are wide open to accommodate all true maritime journalists.
He explained that the exco’s cardinal programme is to grow members reportorial capacity, enhance professional image including building strong bridges of industry relationship aimed at elevating the capacity of AMJON members without compromising the ethics and universal principles of journalism practice.
According to him, “our doors are wide open to accommodate everybody, including those still sitting on the fence. AMJON is the destination. We are uniting all maritime journalists. The period of professional truancy and beggarly behavior is over. we consider it a privilege to be elected leaders in AMJON, the truth is, we are merely first amongst equals”.
“The focus of this administration is to push for professional modern capacity building that aide us in doing our jobs better and faster. For obvious reasons we are not getting the desired attention for reasons we cannot conjecture”. “The time has come when we must build strong bridges of friendship across the industry. This is only possible by sincere collaboration with an improved turn around relationship with agencies of government and other stakeholders.”
