THE Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; Chairman of Starzs Group, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun; former Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barr. Temisan Omatseye; President of Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs. Funke Agbor (SAN), among others maritime stakeholders and eminent Nigerian personalities explored beautiful art depicting the maritime sector at the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) 2024.
Speaking at the event which held recently, the NIWA Managing Director, Oyebamiji, who also chaired the occasion, described the exhibition as a unique way of interpreting the opportunities as well as challenges in the nation’s blue economy.
Oyebamiji, represented by NIWA General Manager, Special Duties, Mr. Dangana Mohammed, observed that the initiative would enhance the advocacy on standards and safe practices on the nation’s inland waterways and across the maritime sector.
He assured that the inland waterways regulator would continue its partnership with AMAE in a bid to promote art that inspires positive change and development while preserving the industry’s historical trends.
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The event also featured the unveiling of three books written by mostly young students who participated in Maritime Writes Project (MWP) between 2021-2023. The three books were compilation of short stories by 17 participants and they are titled; 3 Dreams & a beach and other maritime short stories; The Surfer in me and other maritime short stories; and The Water Guard and other maritime stories.
While unveiling the books, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, described the initiative as worthwhile, especially at a time when the nation was in dire need of young entrants into the maritime sector.
Ogbeifun expressed optimism that the initiative to engage young children in writing about maritime would inspire them to take careers in the industry and position them to be problem solvers in the sector.
On his part, the Host/ Admiral Superintendent and CEO of Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, encouraged the guests to explore the Naval dockyard to see the security and commercial vessels being serviced at the facility.
On his part, the Director, International Ocean Institute (IOI) Nigeria, Mr. Williams Akanbi, described AMAE as a beacon of artistic excellence that captured the essence of the Blue Economy through the lens of creativity and symbolic representation.
In her welcome remarks, AMAE Convener/Programme Coordinator, Ezinne Azunna, noted that the stories of marine life, the challenges of ocean conservation, and the hope for maritime prosperity come alive in the arts being exhibited.
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