The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, recently led a delegation of the Council’s management staff on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
The visit aimed to forge a strategic partnership, deepen ties, and strengthen mutual cooperation between both agencies.
This engagement follows the earlier courtesy visit by the Managing Director of NAN, Mr. Ali Muhammad, to the NSC headquarters in Lagos, which Dr. Akutah described as “an extension of a hand of fellowship”- an expression of NAN’s willingness to collaborate in promoting the Council’s activities and those of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He noted that with the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, along with the launch of a national policy by the Federal Government as part of its economic diversification strategy, greater attention is now being paid to the port sector.
The NSC boss emphasized the need for Nigerians to understand the immense opportunities available within the Marine and Blue Economy sector, particularly in terms of investment.
He further stressed that a partnership with the media, would help the Council promote its work and educate the public on developments within the maritime space. This, he explained, directly supports NSC’s mandate of delivering efficient port services, fostering a competitive regulatory environment, and protecting both stakeholders interests and private sector investments under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
According to Dr. Akutah, significant infrastructure has been developed across the ports, and it is important that the Council communicates these strides—not just to Nigerians, but also to landlocked neighbouring countries that may benefit from Nigeria’s port facilities.
In his remarks, NAN’s Managing Director, Mr. Ali Muhammad, described Dr. Akutah as a media-friendly leader with a deep passion for the Marine and Blue Economy, clearly reflected in the reforms underway at the NSC under his leadership.
While commending the efforts of the various agencies under the Ministry, he emphasized the need for increased public awareness. He said this is where a partnership with NAN would be mutually beneficial, noting that the agency remains the largest news content provider on the African continent.
He shared that NAN, established in the 70s, boasts a network of over 500 reporters and maintains strategic partnerships with global news agencies such as Reuters, the Russian News Agency, and the Egyptian News Agency. He also mentioned NAN’s international offices in New York, Johannesburg, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Mr. Muhammad added that the agency is in discussions with the Federal Government to reopen its London office; an initiative he described as strategic for broader collaboration between NAN and the NSC, as well as other stakeholders in the Marine and Blue Economy sector.
He concluded by congratulating Dr. Akutah on his recent award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at its 70th anniversary celebration.
