MOWCA SG, Adalikwu to be inducted as AMJON Patron on Thursday
Maureen Aguta
As all sets for the 2024 annual conference of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), arrangement have been concluded for the induction of the high flying Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) as a Patron of the association.
Dr Adalikwu, a Nigerian by nationality was elected the SG of MOWCA at the 16th Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the organisation held in Accra, Ghana from 16th to 18th November 2021; for the first term of four years which is renewal for a second term.
His stellar performance as MOWCA SG since his election has repositioned the organization to play its pivotal role in the development of the marine and blue economy of the West and Central Africa region.
Maritime stakeholders say his new position as the Patrol of AMJON, the foremost maritime media organisation in Nigeria will adequate project his numerous achievements at MOWCA which has taken the 25-nation regional maritime powerhouse to greater heights.
.The formal induction of Dr Adalikwu as AMJON Patron will be highlight of the AMJON Lecture which will be held on Thursday at the Rockview Hotel Apapa, Lagos.
The conference is aimed at digging deep into the untapped Nigerian Blue Economy which is estimated at about $1.9trillion, has the theme: “Nigeria’s Maritime/Blue Economy Industry under the Renewed Hope Agenda: What is New”, will spark off fresh national conversations on what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and creation of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry holds for Nigeria.
Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, will be the special guest of honour, while Dr Adalikwu will be the chairman of the. Patron of AMJON, Chief Tony Iju Nwabunike will induct the new Patron and present keynote address.
The event is billed to have the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr Pius Akutah; Managing Director of Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji; and other Maritime CEOs as guests and participants.
Speaking, to the outgoing president of the association, Paul Ogbuokiri, the event will bring together influential voices for collaborative dialogue and development of the maritime industry.
Leveraging on the theme of the lecture, Ogbuokiri revealed that it will educate participants and stakeholders on the activities of government and its agencies in actualising the potentials, prospects and opportunities which abound in the blue economy sector.
“Stakeholders and investors shall be educated on the available opportunities and the conducive environment provided by government for investments to grow and yield tangible returns on investments, ROI, in the sector” Ogbuokiri said
According to Ogbuokiri, the 2024 AMJON annual lecture will be unique as it will feature installation of patrons, matrons, presentation of awards to deserving Nigerians and inauguration of the newly elected executives, led by Mr. Kelvin Kagbare; which shall pilot the affairs of the foremost maritime journalists association for the next three years.
Already, top executives have indicated interest and attendance at the event even as paper presentations have been confirmed.