By Innocent Orok
The President Emeritus of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu has advocated for the League of Maritime Editors ( LOME ) to initiative a forum where he will be invited for the launch of a Welfare Endowment Fund for Maritime Journalists.
Prince Shittu who is a patron of the LOME said this while giving his goodwill message on Friday at the League’s 2024 Annual General Meeting ( AGM) / seminar held in Lagos State on Friday. The event was with theme ” Renewed Hope Agenda: The place of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry: Challenges of Customs Revenue Generation/ Anti- Smuggling Operations”.
In his address presented by his representative, Elder Asu Beks, Shittu said, ” I send you my best wishes on this auspicious occasion of your Annual General Meeting. But before I proceed further, let me congratulate my inlaw and sister, Remi Itie and other contestants who emerge victorious at the keenly contested elections last night.
“We are happy that the elections were held in the most peaceful manner. I want to urge those who won to be magnanimous in victory . I urge Remi Itie and other members of the Exco to stretch their hands of fellowship to other contestants in the over all interest of the League. Once again, accept my congratulations.
” In my opinion, today should be a day of stock taking on how the League has fared in the past 25 years. Has the League achieved the dreams of its founding fathers? Has the welfare of Maritime Journalists better than the likes of Remi Itie met it over 30 years ago? Has the industry made considerable progression ? Are the fortunes of Nigerian Shipowners and other Stakeholders better today than it was 30 years ago?
“As a patron of this Association, it will be very difficult for me to admit here that the flourishing industry we met several years ago has made any progression. This is because those of us who find ourselves in leadership position have failed to provide quality guidance. I urge you as members of the Fourth Estate of the realm to up your game by calling on those in leadership positions to hold them accountable.
The Chairman/ CEO of Skelas Group also called on the media to be less partisan , as well as champion for a unification process among the various media groups in the maritime industry.
“The Media should be less partisan and rise up to their responsibilities at all times. I have also been saddened over the years about the proliferation of Media Associations in the Maritime industry. As the saying goes, a house divided against itself cannot stand. As a Group made up of pioneers of Maritime Journalism in Nigeria, I urge the League to initiate the unification project .
” That is the only way the welfare of members can be better protected. May I also seize this opportunity for us as critical stakeholders to initiate moves for the establishment of an Endowment Fund for welfare of Maritime Journalists.
“I am aware that we have recently lost a handful of our members, don’t forget that as a former Publicity Secretary of ANLCA , I am also a gentleman of the press. May we rise up for a minute silence to honour our departed colleagues . May their souls rest in peace.
“Finally, I will be glad to be invited to a FORUM initiated by the League for the launch of the Endowment Fund for the welfare of Maritime Journalists in the shortest possible time”, Shittu said .
