Sea Sunday: MtS Lagos exists to provide succour, hope, relief to seafarers -Sarumi

The Chairman, Mission to Seafarers (MtS) Lagos, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, has encouraged seafarers around the world to visit the Centre whenever their ships call at the seaports in Lagos.

Chief Sarumi stated this on Sunday, while speaking at the 2024 Annual Sea Sunday Service and Award Ceremony, which took place at the All Souls’ Anglican Church, Lekki, Lagos.

According to him, seafarers should feel free to explore the hospitality of the Centre, which now enjoys increased patronage since the facility was enhanced to global best standards.

His words: “MtS Lagos itself has a cherished history in the global Mission’s timeline, with records listed as far back as 1914. Our Center in Lagos provides ship visits, Center visits and coordinates other aspects that support seafarers’ welfare. We exist to provide succour, hope and relief to seafarers.

“Seafarers are exposed to physical danger due to travel by the sea, in addition they are in danger of suicide, long voyages without shore leaves where countries deny them the opportunity to leave their ships, psychological trauma, piracy fears, illnesses, etc. The challenges of seafarers are real and probably even more deep-seated than we imagine, but we have risen to mitigate those that we envisage.”

Sarumi equally noted that MtS Lagos has been promised a jetty that would greatly facilitate safer corridors and access to the MtS Lagos Centre, describing the anticipated jetty as a gesture that compliments recent partnership with the Nigerian Navy FOC Command, and other maritime agencies.

The MtS Lagos Chairman seized the occasion to recognize stakeholders selfless contributions and partnerships with the Mission in lending the torch of humanity to the vulnerable on the over 3000 ships visiting Lagos ports annually.

Also speaking, the Secretary General, MtS Worldwide, Mr. Andrew Wright, expressed great joy about the development of MtS activities in Lagos.

“It is amazing because it is a great thing that has been achieved with the renovation of the MtS Lagos Center. It has become a place that is truly worthy of seafarers and one that they should desire,” Wright said

On her part, the Chairman of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) Princess Vicky Haastrup, pledged the support of Nigerian seaport terminals to the welfare of seafarers and the MtS Lagos.

Haastrup charged other stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring seafarers get the value and regard they deserve for the essential services they provide around the world.

Also speaking, the Principal Partner, Jean Chiazor and Partners, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), beckoned on ship owners to prioritize the welfare of their seafarers and provide for their skills development.

“Seafarers deserve support financially, materially, psychologically and spiritually. MtS Lagos provides this support and all stakeholders in the shipping sector should participate by financially sponsoring the MTS. It is very important that when seafarers come to land, they have a place like the MTS Centre in Apapa where they can rest their heads, play games, swim, get good food and drinks before going back to sea,” she said.

Earlier, the Chaplain of MtS Lagos, Reverend  Bimbo Aduroja, recalled that a year ago, the MtS Center was nothing to write home about; but affirmed that today it is “a place to be.”

“We thank God for the renovation that has taken place and the state-of-the-art facilities available at the center. We are grateful to all our stakeholders, especially the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),” he remarked.

A member of the management board of MtS Lagos, Mrs. Yetunde Akinluyi, asserted that there has been an ever-increasing support from stakeholders to MtS Lagos.

“The supports we have gotten from stakeholders have steadily increased over the years. It has not only been support financially or with equipment; we have also gotten support via services. In fact, we have gotten more support in services than in any other form and we are grateful for this.

“We have a lot of people that come to MtS Lagos to ask what they could do for the Center. NMLA has provided immense support legally while several others visit the Center to provide therapeutic and psychological support to seafarers at no cost to the MtS.”

Also featured at the event was the presentation of awards by MtS Lagos to Chairperson of STOAN, Princess Vicky Haastrup; President, Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs. Funke Agbor (SAN); Principal Partner, Jean Chiazor & Partners, Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN); former Managing Director of NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko; and the CEO, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi.