Heavy weight industry operators including Captain Emmanel Iheanoacho, former Interior Minister and Chairman, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd; Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, Area Controller, Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service; Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical Service, Tantita Security Services Ltd; Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director of Starzs Investments Company Ltd have been named as speakers in the upcoming 2024 edition of the National Discourse.

Others penciled down to make presentations at the event scheduled for October 17, 2024 at the Rock  View Hotel, Apapa-Lagos includes Sesan Onileimon, Publisher, Shipping Position; Okey IBEKE, MD/CEO, International Trade Advisory Services Ltd;  and Capt. Ebubeogu Inea acho, former GM, Operations, NPA. 

According to the Convener of the National Discourse, Kelvin Kagbare, the 2024 edition  with Distinguished Maritime Personalities (DMPs) as usual brings together very experienced men and women who have toiled with undivided focus and commitment in their contributions to the develop nation’s maritime industry. Kagbare says t presentations lined up for discussion by eminent operators from the public and private sector has the intellectual and philosophical depth to change the industry’s operational and policy narratives; noting that the speakers and  resource persons who have confirmed attendance.

The 2024 National Discourse with the theme “The Human Capital Component, Assets and Infrastructure for the Blue Economy”, he says covers all operational areas of shipping and port operations; adding that industry players are upbeat given the caliber of the speakers to do justice to issues in the front burner, given their vast industry experience and exposures.

Speaking on the line-up of paper presenters, Kagbare said, “For want of space and time, the faces are very well known, their capabilities and resourcefulness has never been in doubt as they regularly and very actively participate in local and international conferences.

“As usual their presentation is expected to deepen our understating of the industry and policy focus of the government in line with global trends in shipping and maritime issues.

The President-elect of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) continued: “Our objective is to keep stakeholders informed, law makers and policy formulators guided on guidelines and regulations in sea port management and maritime administration.  Nigeria is blessed with very competent men and women and all that the industry requires to grow is getting development blueprints and policy formulations, right. 

“Our problem is not lack of competencies but troubled official blueprints and underutilization of our professionals and skilled personnel in providing workable, and achievable economic plans.” 

On how the program would run, Kagbare reiterated “We know that our DMPs are CEOs who are very busy. We do not intend to take their time longer than necessary, so the program is planned to run speedily with brief format beginning with recognitions, presentation, discussions and summation. 

“There will be presentation of our Symbolic Plaques of Honour to very deserving few, which is part of the National Discussion tradition.”