By Uzor Odigbo
As stakeholders get set for the 2023 AMJON Conference and Awards, the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi and Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Muhammadu Bello-Koko have confirmed their attendance.
This came as the Patron of the association, Chief Iju Tony Nwabunike who is in the United State of America for a visit, has also okayed his attendance.
Also confirmed are the National Inland Waterways Authority and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; among other top maritime industry stakeholders and personalities.
According to the organizers of the event, the AMJON 2023 Conference Planning Committee said key spokespersons of maritime industry agencies and others that have excelled in their duties will be honoured at the event which is slated to hold on December 14th, 2023 at Rockview Hotel Apapa, Lagos.
They further said that the theme of this year’s event is: Rebuilding Nigeria’s Economy Towards a Viable Tans-border Trade.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who is the head of Nigerian Customs Service, the government’s lead agency on trade and fiscal policy matters will declare the event open and speak on The Future and Prospects of the Nigeria/Benin Customs Trans-border Trade Agreement.
A statement by the Secretary, AMJON 2023 Planning Committee, Oluwasegun Oladipupo, disclosed that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is expected to use the opportunity of the event to educate stakeholders on the available port infrastructure to boost trans-border trade in Nigeria. The title of its paper is: Providing Functional Ports Infrastructure for Effective Trans-border Trade: The journey so Far.
Oladipupo said that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will make a presentation on the topic, Providing Adequate Maritime Security for International Trade in Nigerian Waters.
“While the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) will speak on, Developing Nigerian Waterways Infrastructure for Effective Movement of Goods and Services, the Patron of AMJON, Chief Iju Tony Nwabunike will speak on The Role of Customs Brokers in Sustaining a Viable Trans-border Trade for National Economic growth.
On the preparation of AMJON for the event, President of the AMJON, Paul Ogbuokiri said on December 14th, 2023 all roads in Apapa will lead to the Rockview venue of the AMJON 2023 Conference and Awards. He called on industry stakeholders to make it a day with the biggest maritime media show of the year.
Speaking, Chairman of the planning committee, Innocent Orok said AMJON is holding this event at this critical moment of the national history to further inspire heads of government agencies in the sector to work in tandem with the performance bond they signed with the government.
According to him, for Nigeria’s ailing economy to rebound, government agencies, stakeholders and the public must be properly sensitize to key into the vision of the Tinubu administration.
The AMJON 2023 will feature awards presentation to deserving Nigerians and organisations, even as a communiqué will be released at the end of the event