By Kenneth Jukpor
Delegates from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as well as other United Nation’s organizations would attend the 2020 Lagos International Maritime Week to be held virtually on December 8th and 9th, 2020.
The organizers of the annual maritime event, Zoe Maritime Resources Limited, revealed this in a press statement issued yesterday.
According to the convener, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore the online conference would have a rich delegation of global stakeholders including the Executive Secretary, United Nations Environment Programme/ Abidjan Conventon, Abou Bamba; Project Officer, United Nations Office of Drugs And Crime [UNODC], Siji Song; President, World Maritime University , Malmo Sweden, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry; the Gender Officer -International Maritume Organisation(IMO), Helen Buni, among others.
The theme of the two-day event, “Sustainable Shipping in Africa for a Sustainable Planet” was derived from the 2020 World Maritime Day theme, “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet”
According to the organizers, the event would feature roundtables on Maritime Security, Marine Environment, Maritime Law and Arbitration, Maritime Transportation and Port Development, Maritime Training and Education and Women in Maritime.
The event would also explore a variety of subjects such as Ocean Opportunities and the Marine Environment for Africa, Sustainable Shipping and Marine Environment -Realities and Challenges, Innovation Sustainability and Safety of Water Transportation in Nigeria, Sustainable Legal Regime to Support Sustainable Shipping, Sustainable Maritime Education For Sustainable Shipping, Sustainable Shipping & Insurance of Maritime Infrastructures Developing Sustainable Ports In Africa Sustainable Shipping & Efficiency of Customs Clearance, and more.
At scheduled intervals during the online conference there will be a virtual exhibition of products by different companies. Equally at the end of the event each day, there will be networking opportunites during which local businesses will be matched with international interests.
The conference is being sponsored by FitzWilliams Ventures Ltd and endorsed by the Nigerian Shippers Council, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Ltd and the Nigenan Ports Authority.
Other speakers drawn locally and internationally include Hassan Bello, the Execunve Secretary, Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC), Dr. Bashir Jamoh -Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, Managing Director, Nigeran Ports Authority (NPA), Anderson Bankole, Commisioner of Police (Maritime) Nigeria Police Force, Hon. Justice J T.Tsoho -Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Chidi ILOGU [SAN]-President Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Eng. Greg Ogneifun- Chairman, Starzs Investments Ltd, Felicity Afua Sey, Regional Maritime University, Ghana.
The Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Dr. George Moghalu, Asana Sylvia Dauda Owu, President -Women To Maritime In West And Central Africa [WIMOWCA], Despina Panayiotou -Theodosiou -President, Women’s International Shipping And Trading Associaton (Wista-International), Jean Chiazor Anishere, Continental President, Women In Maritime Africa (WIMA Africa), Birgit Liodden, Founder /CEO -The Ocean Opportunity Lab [TOOL], Ngozi Gwam, Country Manager, Lloyd’s Register, will also participate in the virtual conference as speakers.
A public lecture would also be given by the Chairman of Genesis Worldwide Shipping, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho at the event.
Edodo-Emore stated that the decision to make the conference a virtual one was in compliance to the new innovative approach amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
