Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr Patrick Akpolobokemi discussing with Chief Isaac Jolapamo Chairman of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) after a meeting between both organisations in Lagos recently.

The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) has concluded plans to mark the maiden edition of the United Nations’ Day of the Seafarers in line with the decision reached at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention in Manila in June 2010 that 25th of June of each year be set aside by member nations to recognise the unique contributions made by seafarers all over the world to international seaborne trade and to the civil society in particular.

The Stakeholders’ Standing Committee on the Seafarers’ Day has a foremost Master Mariner and Principal Partner of African Events Consult, Captain Solomon Omoteso, as Chairman.

Captain Omoteso disclosed that several activities have been lined up to mark the day, which will be witnessed by key dignitaries including the Ministers of Transport, Labour and Education as well as the Chief Executives of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA0, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron.

Several other stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors as well as the Chief of naval Staff are also expected at events marking the day.

Omoteso said that the theme for the maiden UN Day of the Seafarers celebration is ‘Go to sea, a lifetime opportunity’.

He disclosed that 400 seafarers, cadets and veterans are expected to participate in a march pass scheduled to take place on the day at Onikan Stadium in Lagos.

“There is nothing to celebrate considering the plight of the seafarer in Nigeria but we are going to mark the day in line with the United Nations directive. We hope that this will further focus attention on the need to accord priority to the training of seafarers in Nigeria and provide them quality jobs”, Omoteso stated.

Other members of the Committee include Captain Emmanuel Omotayo representing both NAMM and the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Captain Niyi Adeyemo, Retired Navy Captain D.T. Onabajo, Comrades J. T. Horsfall and Comrade J. E. Ekpo both of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, Mrs. Irene Mcfoy representing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and Engineer Alex Peters of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMAREST).