Stakeholders emphasize role of art in promoting Nigeria’s blue economy at AMAE 2024

Stakeholders in the maritime sector have underscored the vital role of maritime arts in showcasing Nigeria’s blue economy potential and promoting it’s development.

The stakeholders spoke on Friday at the 2024 African Maritime Arts Exhibition (AMAE) themed “History and Trends: Seascapes from Nigeria’s Blue Economy” – the third in the series of the yearly exhibitions.

Hosted by Media Traction Limited, the event also marked the first official unveiling of three books authored by finalists of the Maritime Writes Project, an annual writing workshop organised by the company.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the occasion and Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Bola Oyebamiji, emphasized the government’s commitment to harnessing the country’s maritime resources through the establishment of the Marine and Blue Economy ministry.

Represented by Engr. Mohammed Amin Daudana, General Manager, Projects, Management and Special Duties, NIWA,
Oyebamiji noted the vital role of inland waterways in Africa’s transportation network, connecting remote areas and contributing to economic growth.

Noting that art has a powerful ability to communicate complex ideas and evoke emotional response, Oyebamiji expressed his commitment to promoting the nation”s maritime artistic values.

He said, This three-day event is an opportunity to showcase our nation’s rich maritime heritage. The waterways seascape presents a peculiar representation of the scene at the sea. And we have a lot of these in the African coastlines, particularly in Nigeria.

“Generally, the seascape represents a piece of art that depicts the sea shorelines.

“As Chairman of the African Maritime Arts Exhibition in 2024, I am honored and committed to promoting African-rich artistic and maritime legacies, and also showcase the maritime artistic values.”

In her remarks, Director & Head of Fisheries Resources, Nigerian Institute For Oceanography And Marine Research, Dr Patience Obatola, also emphasized the importance of visual media in raising awareness about the opportunities in Nigeria’s vast blue economy.

She said, “People find it difficult to read and it’s a bane in this generation. However, pictures at a glance tells us what a situation is. It is a way of documenting events and history in the maritime industry.”

Earlier in her welcome address, Chief Executive Officer, Media Traction Limited and convener of the event, Ezinne Azunna, explained that the inspiration for the art exhibition stemmed from a desire to bridge the gap between the industry and the public through visual arts.

“The African Maritime Arts Exhibition is a project we started a few years ago.with the intention of driving further the campaigns of the maritime industry. We have seen the gaps. And so together with our team, we looked at it and saw that visual arts could actually lend a voice in what every one of us do in the industry so that it becomes very easy for people to understand industry.

“This year’s event will target History and Trends, Seascapes from Nigeria’s Blue Economy, ” Yes, we hope to address Africa, but why not begin from home? And that’s what we’ve been doing in the past three years,” Azunna stated.

Speaking on the book presentations, Azunna said the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) is an effort aimed at creating more awareness in young people on the maritime industry through training and mentorship and empowering them with the requisite skills to create Maritime themed short stories which would in turn inspire more young people towards considering maritime careers.

The Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Lagos, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, emphasized the importance of engaging children early to know the industry for themselves and exposing them to the roles they can play within the sector.

“It’s a privilege that we are hosting this third edition of the program at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos. Creating that awareness and allowing people to understand the roles they can play and bringing stakeholders together is a very important activity. This vision will go round Africa and to all the continent’s of the world,” he said.

To support one of the finalists of the MWP Project who also won an international awards, Ms Uchenna Ohaeri, Rear Admiral Orederu pledged a one year scholarship in support of her academic pursuit while the Controller, Tin Can Island Customs Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, pledged to support Ms Ohaeri’s academic growth with a laptop.

Other stakeholders present at the event include Engr. Greg Ogbeifun-of Starz Investment Limited; former Director General, NIMASA, Mr. Temisan Omatseye and President, Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Bar. Funke Agbo among others.