(NAN) A Senior Maritime Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alhaja Aisha Cole on Thursday in Lagos, won the Best Maritime Reporters’ Award 2016 given by the Publishers of PEOPLE’S FORUM Maritime Newspapers.
NAN reports that the Awards was tagged: “7thNational Evergreen Maritime Merit Awards”.
The Award Coordinator, Mr Tunde Ojudun, said that the Award Committee did a field research on the Best Maritime Reporter’s Award and unanimously selected Cole as the winner.
“It should be noted that National Evergreen Merit Awards are exclusively for maritime industry stakeholders working assiduously to report the maritime industry.
“In our research work, we did put the following into consideration: transparency in every aspect of financial dealing; dedication to duty; patriotism to Nigeria; and relationship with other colleagues and other stakeholders.
“Added to your emergence as the winner of this prestigious award is your excellent contributions to the maritime industry,’’ NAN quotes Ojudun as saying.
The coordinator said the Awards are “non-profit making and are aimed at inducing and promoting excellence and patriotism in work places in Nigeria”.
According to him, today’s honour will motivate other stakeholders to work tirelessly and selflessly, so that they too can be honoured one day like today’s recipients.
A maritime expert, who was the Chairman of the event, Mr Olusegun Ologbese, commended the Nigerian maritime media for appropriate reportage of the maritime industry.
Ologbese urged maritime media not to relent in their efforts in supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in diversification of the economy.
He commended the organisers of the award for choosing the awardees based on merit, adding that it would motivate them to continue the good job in promoting the industry.
The Head of Corporate Communications Team of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Lami Tumaka, commended the efforts of the organisers.
Tumaka advised the organisers not to be discouraged due to the recession, adding that one day, their efficiency would be rewarded.
“The recession the country is facing is affecting everybody. I will want the maritime media to report people’s views on solutions to the situation we found ourselves.
“The media should support NIMASA in searching for alternative means of getting revenue for government.
“It is encouraging now that every pieces of land nearby are being used for farming. I believe we will soon surmount the situation the country is going through,“ NAN quotes Tumaka as saying.
She also received the Most Outstanding Maritime Industry Chief Executive Award on behalf of the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside.
Another award recipient, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Mr Steve Okonmah, bagged the Award of the Image Maker of the year.
Okonmah, who is the Spokesman of PTML Customs Command in Lagos, said he dedicated his award to all maritime journalists considering the difficult terrain under which they operate.
NAN reports that other award recipients are: Dr Patrick Osita, (Maritime activist); Mrs Aisha Cole of NAN (Best Maritime Reporter of the year); Mr Joseph Atoloye (Outstanding Operator); and Deputy Comptroller Zakari Nasir, (Most Outstanding Customs Deputy Comptroller).
NAN reports that other award recipients are: Mr Wale Oni (Good Relationship Award); and Mr Izuchukwu Ozoemena (Best Consistent Maritime Magazine). (NAN)
