Sets for roundtable chat on ACFTA, Says plans on top gear for National Maritime summit
The President, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria, (MAJAN), Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, has called on his members and reporters covering the maritime industry to practice investigative Journalism in their reportage.
Comrade Ugochukwu made the call during the Powerful Pen Media Congress in Apapa, Lagos on Thursday.
The President said while journalists cannot be blamed for doing run- off- the- mill reports, it is also very important that they begin to engage in investigative reportage, which apart from being more beneficial to the society, will also ensure such journalists are reckoned with.
The MAJAN President said maritime is the second largest revenue generating sector for the Federal Government after oil. As such, reporters covering the sector must investigate and bring out sharp practices to the attention of the entire Public.
According to him, such investigative reports will enable the government to take proactive measures in tackling factors militating against the growth of the sector which will also enhance sanity in the system.
Ugochukwu emphasised that Journalists must be fair and objective in their reportage. He stressed that their investigative reports must be presented with facts. Ugochukwu also urged maritime Journalists to live up to expectation in reporting the sector, especially in exposing the rot in the system.
Meanwhile, Ugochukwu has disclosed that MAJAN will hold a Roundtable chat on the significance of ‘African Continental Free Trade Agreement’ (ACFTA) and the preparedness of maritime stakeholders to key into this concept.
He said, “MAJAN Roundtable is slated for Thursday February 18, 2021, in Lagos.The focus is on, ‘African Continental Free Trade Agreement’ (ACFTA)’, because this is an important issue at the moment. All MAJAN members are going to have a Roundtable chat with selected stakeholders on this particular topic. At the end, we will inform the Public through our reports. As Journalists, it is obligatory on our part to constantly disseminate information to the public; this is exactly what MAJAN is doing”.
He added, “The MAJAN Roundtable chat on ACFTA is equally important, because recommendations from stakeholders will help government on policies formulation and implementation”.
Also speaking on the preparedness of MAJAN to hold its “National Maritime Summit on Apapa traffic gridlock” slated for March, 2021, he said “We are on course. Plans are on top gear to ensure a successful outing”.
