In a bid to create a platform to discuss the day-to-day maritime issues from inland waterways to deep sea shipping, sustainability in riverine communities and mentoring in the blue economy, Nigerian mariners have launched a strategic Waterside Centre in Lagos.
The Waterside Centre, which had its unveiling programme at the Mission to Seafarers in Apapa, was established in 2025, and chaired by Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho while Dr. Hope Orivri, PhD, functions as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
At the inaugural event held at the Mission to Seafarers’ Complex, Apapa, Lagos—attended by master mariners, marine engineers, seafarers, and an array of journalists, Capt. Iheanacho emphasized that the initiative aims to bring maritime stakeholders together for collaborative progress.
Iheanacho, a former Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, on behalf of mariners used the forum to pay tribute to the late Dr. Chris Asoluka, highlighting the importance of honouring his legacy through an annual symposium.
“The late Asoluka made significant contributions to the maritime industry, and it is crucial that we remember and celebrate his impact even after his passing,” Iheanacho stated.
He also underscored the importance of vessel and crew safety at sea, stressing that implementing robust safety protocols onboard is essential to reducing accidents and ensuring the welfare of crew members.
“Crew welfare is equally important. Effective fatigue management, access to healthcare, clear communication, and mental health support must be integral parts of the safety framework. The implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS), regular audits, and continuous improvements driven by crew engagement are critical,” he remarked.
Highlighting specific practices within the Nigerian maritime industry, he said: “We enforce stringent safety measures, including pre-arrival security information submissions to NIMASA, continuous vessel vigilance, compliance with international standards, and rigorous security checks to prevent maritime threats.
“By adhering to these comprehensive protocols, vessel operators and shipping companies can significantly mitigate risks, ensure crew wellbeing, and protect the marine environment.”
Earlier, the CEO of Waterside Centre, Dr. Hope Orivri, explained that the initiative was born out of a desire to bring maritime players together as a united community in a bid to address salient industry challenges while serving as a hub for knowledge sharing and mentoring.
Her words: “The gathering for today actually is the unveiling of our maritime community hub which is tagged the Waterside Centre. You may ask why the Waterside Center? We know in the maritime industry there are very many stakeholder engagements, people gather for several kinds of meetings and hold conferences.
“The Waterside Center is looking at creating a community for social interaction among people who have maritime as their primary interest. One key thing for the Waterside Center is mentorship for young seafarers, port operators, boat operators and to even learn the indigenous knowledge from local operators and equally enlighten residents in the coastal communities.
Orivri, who is also the publisher of OnePage Africa online newspaper, maintained that maritime industry players cannot operate in isolation; as it must function as a community.
“The Centre will provide an enabling environment for youths to better understand the marine and blue economy,” she said.
While delivering a paper at the event, the Head of Technical at the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU), Engr. Richard Owolabi, outlined the multiple challenges confronting the nation’s maritime human capital development even as he underlined the role of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, among other technologies in improving the sector’s workforce.
Following his paper titled: “Training and Development: Investing in maritime workforce development to bridge the skills gap in the face of emerging technologies,” Engr. Owolabi inspired robust engagement on the needfulness of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), the recent classification of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron as a university, the lack of seatime and its consequences on developing maritime manpower, among others.
In his closing remarks, the President of Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Capt. Tajudeen Alao, commended the Chairman of Waterside Centre, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenancho and the CEO, Hope Orivri, for bringing to reality a dream he nursed for the industry in the mould of the popular Aviation Industry Roundtable.
Alao equally stressed the need for Mariners to initiate a process that would lead to the development of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) clubs in Nigeria to address the numerous challenges that are linked to the lack of quality insurance of vessels in the sector.
The event was graced by several industry veterans including; former president of the NAMM, Capt. Ade Olopoenia; a member of the management team of MTS Lagos/ Chairman, NPCC Committee on Port Operations and Logistics, Capt. Ihenancho Ebubeogu; another former President of NAMM, Capt. Adewale Ishola; Secretary, Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Engr. Kato Abuja; Engr. Akeem Oderinde and Engr. John Oguntokun.
