Celebrating the 2021 Sea Sunday, the Anglican Communion, Diocese of Lagos, called on stakeholders in the maritime industry to extend their support to further activities of the Mission To Seafarers, for the benefit of seafarers in the course of duty.
At the Service with the theme “Maritime Industry and Development of Nigeria- Connecting With Our Heritage” the Chief Host, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye, represented by the very Rev. Adebola Ajofeitimi, prayed for the Lagos Ports as well as for seafarers.
The Diocesan and Missioner appreciated the contributions of seafarers in sustaining commerce for the benefit of mankind, as he called for the need to support positive economic activities at sea; a treasured heritage.
His words: “That we are sitting down comfortably today, it is because of the contributions of the seafarers to the world economy. Without the activities of the seafarers, the economy of the world will be in shambles.
“One of our cherished heritages is the sea and all the positive activities going on at the sea. And I want to pinpoint the activities of the seafarers who daily risk their lives at sea to bring comfort and stability to the world.”
He thanked the chairman and members of MTS Lagos for pushing to the fore the importance of the contributions of seafarers and the need to care for them.
The Rt. Rev. Olumakaiye highlighted the importance of reaching out to seafarers as they face untold hardship in many forms including the dangers of pirates, loneliness, unfair treatment from state and non-state actors, imprisonment and many other difficulties.
He spoke on the need to establish a comfortable MTS Centre in Apapa, one that could give succor to visiting seafarers.
He said: “We need to come together to rally support for the Mission. We need your support to revive this heritage. We need buildings and equipment at the Centre, for best standards. We need services that will meet the needs of seafarers and make them comfortable when they come.
“We are therefore using this medium to call for support to reactivate the MTS Centre in Lagos.”
Speaking also at the occasion, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, the Chairman, Management Committee of the MTS Lagos, extolled seafarers for their immense service to humanity as they carry out their duties.
He said that in return for their work, seafarers need to be truly shown love, support and warm welcome.
“Most of the seafarers face the challenges of loneliness, sickness, and some of them have been imprisoned for months without any legal representation due to some contractual business.
“They go through psychological troubles, some could be stranded for weeks, some could be there feeling down completely, they are being confined to the marine state and by the time they are at the shore, they just need to feel the earth they place their feet.
“With this, a lot needs to be done for the seafarers, and I hope you come to our rescue; we need a viable centre. It is a place where we think of a media centre, a legal desk even health centre,” Sarumi said.
In attendance were Princess Vicky Hasstrup, the Chairperson of Seaport Terminals Operators of Nigeria (STOAN); Mrs Jean Chiazor- Anishere, SAN; Rear Admiral Godswill Ombo (Rtd); Engr. Emmanuel Ilori; Barrister Funmi Folorunsho- both members of the MTS Lagos Management Committee; Capt. Tajudeen Alao, President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners; Dr. John Adeyanju, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, mariners from the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and the Nigerian Institute of Shipping.
