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World Maritime Day – UN-POLAC Congratulates Nigerian Govt
Ayo Ola
As the world celebrates World Maritime Day, the Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UNITED NATIONS-POLAC) has congratulated the Nigerian government.
This was contained in a message signed by the Country President, the UN-POLAC Chieftain, Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies.
She noted that the ‘World Maritime Day’ is usually being celebrated annually on the last Thursday of September.
She added that the day is set aside by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to focus attention on the importance of shipping, the maritime industry, and the people who work in it.
“The theme for World Maritime Day 2024 is “Empowering Women in Maritime.” This theme aims to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in the maritime industry, particularly the role of women. Prof Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies says this strategic in approach and as such congratulations to all women.
“Some of the objectives of World Maritime Day include: Raising awareness about the importance of shipping and the maritime industry; Promoting diversity and inclusion; Encouraging the participation of women and other underrepresented groups in the maritime industry; Improving safety and security; Highlighting the importance of safety and security in the maritime industry; Protecting the environment; and Promoting sustainable practices, as well as, environmental protection in the maritime industry,” she said.
Adesanya-Davies also senta word of congratulations to the Nigerian government and all Nigerian with excitement,
She said: “It’s noteworthy that the Federal Government of Nigeria this year, 2024 has been given permission by the United Nations to extend the country’s maritime borders, which will open up new opportunities for the maritime and blue economy.
“It was noted that, ‘On May 14, 2024, the Federal Government announced that Nigeria had gained an extended maritime boundary by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, a development that excited many operators in the maritime industry.’
“Many believed that it was a step in the right direction considering the fact Nigeria is referred to as the ‘Maritime hub of West Africa’, though countries like Togo, among others, are topping in terms of infrastructural development.
“In 2009, Nigeria made an initial submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to extend its continental shelf.
“However, President Bola Tinubu, while receiving the report of the High Powered Presidential Committee on Nigeria’s Extended Continental Shelf Project in Abuja, commended the team of experts, who worked over the years to advance the project.
“Following technical presentations by committee member and marine scientist Professor Larry Awosika and HPPC secretary Surveyor Aliyu Omar, the President conveyed his gratitude.
“The committee informed the President that the UN had approved Nigeria’s submission, granting sovereignty over additional square kilometres of maritime territory.”
She added: “When the HPPC briefed former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 on the status of the project, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf was still considering Nigeria’s submission and having technical interactions with the HPPC.
“These interactions and considerations have now culminated in the approval for Nigeria to extend its continental shelf beyond 200M (200 nautical miles). As it stands now, the area approved for Nigeria is about 16,300 square kilometres, which is about five times the size of Lagos State,’’ Omar was quoted to have told the President.”
