MARAN marks 25yrs of covering maritime industry in December

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), a body of journalists that is accredited by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to cover the maritime industry, will on December 12, 2013 celebrate its 25 years of robust reportage of the nation’s maritime industry.

The occasion will be attended by several heads of corporate organisations, paratatals and agencies, former ministers, individuals, association leaders and a host of others who have contributed to the growth of the maritime sector in the past 25 years.

Bolaji Akinola, MARAN president, said in a statement that the association had contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime industry, adding that 25 years is a milestone in the life of an institution.

“So, apart from celebrating our contribution as the watchdog of the maritime domain, we want to also quantify the extent of our journey so far,” he said.

The event, according to him, will also focus on drawing the attention of the Federal Government to the need to further exploit and harness the potentials of the maritime sector, noting that the anniversary programme would include visitation to motherless babies’ homes, novelty football match, health walk, and a thanksgiving service to be held in both church and mosque.

Akinola said within 25 years of its existence, MARAN ought not to have its secretariat in a rented apartment but should have risen to a status of a landlord. “In that vein, we expect that after our 25th anniversary, we will be able to commence erecting a permanent secretariat where MARAN members can call their own,” he added.

The highlight of the celebration will be an award night that is slated to hold at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos, where eminent personalities who have made the industry proud will be recognised.

The association implores past presidents of the association, friends and well-wishers who have been around since 1988 to send in their nominations for recognition of those who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the maritime sector within the period.