By Uzor Odigbo
The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) has called on Maritime Stakeholders such as NPA, NIMASA, NSC and others to extend some of their COVID-19 palliatives to groups dealing with the speedy eradication of the dreaded disease.
ANJOM president Paul Ogbuokiri said in a press statement on Sunday that it is high time the Maritime corporate bodies recognized the effort of journalists in the global campaign to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria and the African continent.
The statement read in part, “It is glaring that nations and businesses across the world have come to a standstill due to the ravaging Coronavirus (COVI-19) pandemic.
“There is no gain saying the fact that the human race is facing one of the most trying times in recent history.
“The total lockdown and “Social Distancing” of nations, its people and businesses has called for strategic partnership and show of love among various nations, families, entities and organisations.
“Thus, the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), a group of media professionals reporting the maritime and the shipping sector wishes at this time to join other national and international leaders and organisations to preach the gospel of safety and protective living.
“AMJON as a corporate body wants to assure its members, colleagues and all stakeholders in the Maritime industry that all should keep to the safety rules of shunning large crowds, self distancing, personal hygiene and self isolation if the need arises.
“We want to also appeal to the multinationals and government agencies in the Maritime Sector to extend safety facilities like senitisers , hand gloves , even financial supports to help other stakeholders, especially the journalists who are constantly and practically involved in everyday activities to keep the stakeholders and other Nigerians duly informed on daily basis.
“We can boldly say that at this time, the maritime media is mostly needed alongside medical personnel who are on the field discharging their social functions of informing the Nigerian public of the pandemic and various safety nets to curtail the pandemic.
“AMJON therefore calls on the NPA, NIMASA, NCS, NSC, CRFFN, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarding associations and Customs Brokers to rally round all stakeholders, especially the media to assist them discharge their functions effectively, but at the same time stay alive for their families and the nation at large.
“We appreciate the efforts of the federal government and some state governments in their bid to contain the spread of this virus.
“At this time it is very important to always check on our friends, colleagues, clients, brothers and sisters , not leaving out our stakeholders and business partners as a way of being our brothers and sisters keepers. For sure there is hope in the horizon that we shall all come out stronger as a nation.”