The Chairman Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has said that the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Conference stimulates the minds of the young ones.

He made this known at the sixth edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference held on Monday at the Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos.

Afolabi, who was represented by the Group Head, Corporate Communications, Muyiwa Akande said the sixth edition of the conference was organized by the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos and sponsored by the SIFAX Group to discuss burning issues affecting the maritime industry to help government develop policies and regulations to move the maritime industry forward.

He noted that the conference also helps to fertilize the minds of the young ones on the numerous career opportunities that abound in the maritime sector to build a bond between the students and the industry.

He emphasised that there are other opportunities in the maritime sector beyond shipping, which include coastal tourism.

“A lot of businesses can be set up along the coast with the coastal areas in Nigeria, but many of them are not developed. If the ministry can maximize the shipping opportunities and also look beyond it, it will help. Renewable energy is another opportunity to generate electricity. We believe the government should also look into other areas that can generate income for the economy while involving the private sector,” he said.

Also, the President of the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, John Benson said this year’s conference features the Blueprint Competition which brings students of ten universities in Nigeria to create innovative ideas for the maritime industry. He encouraged the youths to create a change wherever they find themselves and urged maritime stakeholders to give students the opportunity to participate in the industry.

Delivering his keynote address titled “A Blueprint for Sustainable Shipping: The Significance of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy”, Dr. Emeka Akabogu, who was represented by Victor Onyegbado, said the theme of the conference was apt as Nigeria navigates the evolving dynamics of the global, regional, and sub-regional maritime industry.

He explained that sustainable shipping is the backbone of a resilient and thriving economy which encompasses holistic approach to shipping to ensure that activities involved do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet the needs of their era while maintaining the ethical standards.

He emphasized that for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to be effective in sustaining shipping in Nigeria, it must have a clear- cut legal framework for policy and implementation for the traditional blue economy that is ; ships , ports and services and the Non-traditional blue economy which include; aquaculture, tourism, real estate, telecommunication, energy and natural resources and non-ship transport.

He reiterated that shipping sustenance is dependent on economic growth without environmental degradation, responsible use of resources, use of cleaner technologies, responsible waste management, preservation of the environment through minimal pollution of air, land and water and stricter regulations.

He urged stakeholders to decongest the traditional port centers, reverse environmental degradation, open up the hinterlands, and create more jobs at the river port.