Maritime Journalists Form Continental Body

Maritime journalists in the African continent have formed an association to ensure better coverage of maritime activities in the continent.

Already, the formation of the association have been commended by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) and the African Ship owners’ Associations (ASA).

Called African Maritime Journalists Association (AMJA), the body has the former President of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr. SesanOnilemo as its president.

His emergence followed resolutions adopted at the just concluded inaugural Africa Maritime Journalists Conference (AMJOC), in Accra, Ghana on the need to establish a continent-wide association or forum for maritime journalists in Africa.

During the conference, delegates resolved and elected a four member executive committee that will promote the objectives and benefits of the conference across the continent, at regional and national levels.

Delegates at the first day of the conference endorsed the recommendation that such an executive team should reflect the pan African nature of the conference, pending when other necessary arrangements are put in place.

The Chairman of AMJOC Organising Committee, Mr. LanreBadmus said the four offices considered were President – allotted to Nigeria; Vice President allotted to Southern Africa; General Secretary allotted to Eastern Africa; and Treasurer allotted to Ghana.

According to him, participants met on the second day of the conference to consider and adopt Onilemo as President; Mr. Terry Hutson, Vice President (South Africa); Mr. George Sunguh, General Secretary (Kenya); and Grace EsiBoateng, Treasurer (Ghana). All the nominees were unanimously endorsed and duly elected for the offices.

Badmus explained that AMJA will represent members’ interests at the continental level, while the establishment of national bodies will be encouraged in all AU member countries, to advance the goals of the association.

“AMJA will promote the interests and welfare of its members, encourage information and knowledge sharing as well as foster goodwill between the media and other stakeholders in the maritime sub-sector”, he added.

Meanwhile, IMO Media Office has welcomed the establishment of AMJA, with a pledged to collaborate with the new Association to advance the fortune of the maritime industry in Africa.

IMO’s Media and Communications Officer, Natasha Brown, in a congratulatory message, thanked the promoters of the AMJA for bring its formation to the attention of the global maritime agency.

She assured that her office would endeavour to keep the association and its members, abreast of news and information related to IMO activities.

“Please let me know the best way for IMO to provide information to the journalists and how we can help in ensuring you have the latest news from IMO. We are happy to add individual emails to our press briefing list, so they receive our press briefings in their inboxes”, she added.

The IMO, a specialised agency of the United Nations, is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. The organisation provides technical assistance to developing countries in maritime matters, among its other responsibilities.