The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha has called for a robust partnership with the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) to promote maritime security, drive development and achieve Nigeria’s blue economy aspirations through responsible reporting.
Mustapha made the call when he received the executive members of MARCON, led by its President, Mr Ismail Aniemu on a courtesy visit to the command.
Mustapha stressed the importance of responsible journalism in the maritime sector, which he said accounts for over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, noting that activities in oil and gas, maritime trade, commerce and customs remain major sources of government revenue.
The FOC argued that accurate and responsible reporting of activities in the maritime sector was critical to national development.
He said journalists play a critical role in holding government agencies and other stakeholders accountable, particularly by reporting irregularities and drawing attention to the challenges confronting seafarers and maritime workers.
Mustapha commended MARCON for going beyond conventional reporting to organise conferences and seminars aimed at educating stakeholders and advancing the growth of the marine and blue economy sector.
The FOC added that effective journalism could serve as a check on excesses by government agencies and other actors in the maritime industry.
“Excesses of agencies are being checked by reporters. If you get the news and you say it, the people engaging in not-so-good things will check themselves because they know that you will hold them again,” he said.
Mustapha further disclosed that the Navy had been undertaking medical and educational outreaches in coastal communities as part of its efforts to build stronger relationships with residents and address some of their socioeconomic challenges.
The FOC said reporting such initiatives responsibly could help improve public understanding of the Navy’s role and contribute to national development.
President of MARCON, Ismail Aniemu, commended the Nigerian Navy, particularly the Western Naval Command, for its contribution to the improved maritime domain security and the suppression of criminal activities in the country’s waters.
He said the naval command remained a critical security arm protecting the country’s maritime environment and infrastructure, noting that Nigeria’s maritime security rating had improved significantly in recent years, particularly in the western waters.
According to him, the Navy has played a significant role in the successes recorded under the Deep Blue Project, and deserved recognition for the progress recorded in tackling piracy, stowaway activities and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the country’s waters.
The MARCON president said maritime reporters were stakeholders in the country’s security and economic development and have a responsibility to sustain a robust relationship with the command.
He described journalism as both a profession and a civic responsibility, noting that MARCON would continue to use its platforms to set the agenda for discussions around critical issues affecting the maritime industry.
Aniemu added that MARCON has a responsibility to project Nigeria positively through balanced reporting, both to Nigerians and the international community, adding that the country’s waters remained central to the fishing industry.
