The Director General of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji; Starzs Group Chairman Greg Ogbeifun; former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Temisan Omatseye; President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Funke Agbor, among other stakeholders in the maritime sector and eminent Nigerian personalities, explored magnificent works of art depicting the maritime sector at the Exhibition of African maritime art (AMAE) 2024.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of NIWA, Oyebamiji, who also chaired the occasion, described the exhibition as a unique way of interpreting the opportunities as well as challenges of the country’s blue economy .

Oyebamiji, represented by NIWA Managing Director, Special Duties, Dangana Mohammed, observed that the initiative would strengthen advocacy for safe standards and practices on the country’s inland waterways and in the maritime sector.

He assured that the Inland Waterways Regulator would continue its partnership with AMAE with the aim of promoting art that inspires positive change and development while preserving historical trends in the industry.

The event also included the unveiling of three books written mostly by young students who participated in the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) between 2021 and 2023. The three books are a compilation of short stories from 17 participants and are titled: ; 3 Dreams & a beach and other maritime news; The Surfer in Me and other maritime news; and The Water Guard and Other Maritime Stories.

While unveiling the books, Chairman of Starzs Investments Company Limited, Greg Ogbeifun, described the initiative as worthwhile, especially at a time when the country was in dire need of young entrants in the maritime sector.

Ogbeifun said he was optimistic that the initiative to encourage young children to write about the maritime sector would inspire them to pursue careers in the industry and position them to solve problems in the sector.

On his part, the Host Superintendent/Admiral and CEO of Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, encouraged the guests to explore the dockyard to see the security and commercial vessels maintained at the facility.

His words: “At the Shipyard, we want people to know the beautiful sides of the maritime sector. Please take a tour and you will see naval ships and commercial vessels maintained by the Navy. This vision of representing the maritime industry in art is something that should be celebrated across Africa and other continents around the world.

“It is a privilege that we welcome this third edition of the program to the shipyard. Children are the future and I am so excited that there is something to keep them integrated into the maritime sector. As a young boy, I knew nothing about the Navy until I entered the Nigerian Defense Academy. I wish I had known more before jumping into the NDA. For these children, I think it’s a very good development.

On his part, the Director of the International Ocean Institute (IOI) Nigeria, Williams Akanbi, described AMAE as a beacon of artistic excellence that captures the essence of the blue economy through the prism of creativity and symbolic representation.

“AMAE provides a unique platform where art becomes a powerful voice, speaking about the interconnectedness of humanity and the marine ecosystems that sustain us. At the International Ocean Institute, Nigeria Center, we share this deep commitment to the conservation of marine resources and sustainable maritime development.

“Our collaboration with AMAE over the years demonstrates the shared belief that art, just as much as science, has the potential to inspire, educate and mobilize communities to preserve the richness of our oceans” , he noted.

While unveiling the maritime news, the shipyard boss, Rear Admiral Orederu, offered one of the authors, Uche Ohaheri, a one-year scholarship, while the regional port controller of Tin Can Island, the controller Dera Nnadi, also gifted him a laptop.

Uche was chosen to speak on behalf of the 17 authors and she shared how her experience at the 2022 MWP inspired her to work on a short story that earned her an award-winning place at the African Leadership Academy and a international price.

Meanwhile, Greg Ogbeifun donated 10 copies of the newly launched books to each of the maritime institutions in the country.

In her welcome address, AMAE Program Manager and Coordinator, Ezinne Azunna, noted that the stories of marine life, the challenges of ocean conservation and the hope for maritime prosperity come to life in the arts on display.

She also took the opportunity to thank the wide range of stakeholders and guests from the maritime world who attended the opening session of AMAE 2024.

The event was graced by several maritime bigwigs including; a former acting director general of NIWA, Danladi Ibrahim; Director General of Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Charles Okaga; former Executive Director Marine & Operations NPA, Capt. Olugbemiga Abidoye; Maxwell Maduakonam, legal officer of the Port of Lagos, representing the port manager; President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa; Customs Zone Controller, Tin Can Island Port, Controller Dera Nnadi; former Director General of Public Affairs, NPA, Abiodun Borha; Carol Ufere, former Managing Director of SERVICOM, NPA; President of the African Marine Sustainability Initiative (AFMESI), Dr Felicia Mogo; Senior Associate, Akabogu & Associates, Dr. Emeka Akabogu; among others.