MARAN honours past leaders, marks 38 years of reportage, commitment to truth

By Saheed Olatunji

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has honoured its past presidents at a landmark event marking 38 years of commitment to truth, resilience, dedication, and contributions to the growth of maritime journalism in the country.

Speaking at the event, MARAN’s pioneer president, Rev. Alban Opara, traced the association’s history, noting that it was established on April 30, 1988, during the military administration of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

He recalled that early maritime reporting was driven by intense competition among journalists from leading media organisations such as Vanguard, The Guardian, Daily Times, National Concord, and Punch. Despite limited coordination and resources at the time, these journalists consistently covered port activities and industry developments.

Opara explained that MARAN was founded to protect the interests of maritime reporters, promote the development of the industry, and enhance public understanding of maritime activities. He added that the association also aimed to position Nigeria’s maritime sector on the global stage while contributing to national economic growth through informed journalism.

In his address, Dr. Emeka Akabogu (SAN), who represented former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, called on maritime journalists to embrace greater professionalism, deepen their technical knowledge, and uphold accountability in their reporting.

He noted that the media has played a crucial role in shaping national discourse, particularly by drawing attention to longstanding challenges in the maritime sector, including port congestion, high transaction costs, and infrastructure deficits.

“Many of these issues remained unresolved until the media consistently brought them to public attention, transforming private concerns into national priorities,” he said.

Akabogu further urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, truth, and fairness over speed, stressing that responsible reporting is essential in distinguishing genuine reforms from mere policy pronouncements.

He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the media and industry stakeholders to build a more transparent, efficient, and globally competitive maritime sector across the country.