…As ANLCA National President tasks journalists on critical reporting
As the foremost and leading online newspaper in Nigeria, Primetime Reporters rolled out the drums to celebrate its ten years of timely and accurate news reportage, Stakeholders have taken their turns to eulogize the achievements of the news medium in its ten years of existence.
The event which took place at the Welcome Centre & Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday, had as its theme, “Leveraging Technology To Maximize The Potential Of Nigeria’s Blue Economy”, and was chaired by the former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC.
Leading the charge, Barr. Hassan Bello congratulated the Publisher, Mr. Saint Augustine Nwadinamuo for his perseverance and conviction in translating his vision into reality even when the environment was not so friendly to do so. He equally used the opportunity to felicitate with Mr. Nwadinamuo on his 43rd birthday anniversary which also fall in that day, while wishing him many more years ahead.
Also speaking, a former Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, Barr. Sam Nwakohu who described Mr. Nwadinamuo as an awesome person, equally congratulated him on his birthday and prayed God to continue to envelope him in his (God’s) wings of grace and mercy and uplift him.
“So, it’s been ten years of responsible reporting, ten years of objective reporting, ten years of telling the truth, respecting other people’s right and ten years of educating people. All this amounts to professionalism. Ten years of being very professional in what you do.
“I commend you for your tireless efforts in promoting excellence and showcasing the achievements of individuals and organizations in the maritime industry. Your work is invaluable and we are all grateful to you for bringing us here today. I thank you again and charge you with the responsibility of continuing the good work that you are doing for our industry and the entire humanity”, he said.
On his part, the National President of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, Dr. Billy Sotubo Gillis-Harry thanked the Publisher for bringing them together adding that even though he was not thinking of being in an event of that nature, it was worth it.
He said, “Primetime Reporters, while I am sitting there, I have done a very extensive research, I have seen the quality of your reporting and I am very proud to be associated with you. Thank you so much for believing in yourself which is really what is important. You don’t have anybody to tell you this is who you should be. If you are black, be proud of your black, if you are short, be proud of your shortness. If you are tall, be proud of your tallness and utilize it.”
“That’s what I am seeing Primetime Reporters doing, I can only wish you the best and happy birthday to you”, Gillis-Harry who is a former Customs officer and a former Council Member of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN said.
Adding his voice to that of others who spoke before him, the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji congratulated Mr. Nwadinamuo on his 43rd birthday anniversary and 10 years of responsible and objective reporting of a news medium which he founded and wish him many more accomplishments in the coming years.
Speaking on the theme of the event, Nwokeoji who was represented at the event by the National Vice President of ANLCA, Prince Segun Oduntan, however, opined the technology was there but the human element factor was the problem.
He, therefore, blamed the Nigerian media for not reporting the real issues in the nation’s maritime industry accusing them of reporting only what should not have been reported.
His words, “I happened to be on a platform of the same professional colleagues in Ghana and when I read the media reports over there, here it’s different. It’s a challenge for you, you have to help us drive it more. Don’t over report what is not supposed to be reported.
“As it affects us, the issue about technology is still about 40 percent. The Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council knows what we are talking about. We too want to sit down in our office and get everything done. If you drag this thing more, they will do it. More of the terminals and the shipping companies have not done anything about technology, just about 40 percent and you are not writing about it. You have to help us.
“The issue about customs, customs is trying its best, they want to go to the next stage, transformation but there are still some hiccups and human elements. We still have vessels that come and the cargo are yet to be evacuated because of technological infractions and maybe only about 5 percent of your people have reported this. You have to help us.
“So, it’s not about technology, the technology is there but it’s human element issues affecting efficient deployment. So, help us to write about issues that are critical to efficient technology deployment, criticize them and let them know that what they are doing is yet to be done. You are the one that can help us to drive this. Don’t over report what is not supposed to be.”
Photo: (L-R): Sir Mike Jukwe, pioneer Registrar, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, Barr. Sam Nwakohu, former Registrar, CRFFN, Dr. Billy Sotubo Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN and Mr. Saint Augustine Nwadinamuo, Managing Director/Editor-in-chief of Primetime Reporters during the 10th anniversary, Leçture and Award organized by Primetime Reporters in Lagos Wednesday.
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