MWUN Debuts Maiden Publication "Maritime Labour Voices"

Kathy Kyari

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has released its first magazine, "Maritime Labour Voice," as part of its attempts to reflect the opinions and actions of workers in the maritime industry.

Dignitaries from the maritime industry, including Princess Vicky Haastrup, the Chairperson of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), graced the event held today at the Rock View Hotels in Apapa, Lagos.

Speaking at the function, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President General of MWUN, said that the publication was founded to support peaceful workplace environments that will foster industrial harmony and speak for the voiceless.

He claims that the new journal "Maritime Labour Voice" is the result of the leaders and members of Maritime Workers' collective aspiration.

Princess Vicky Haastrup, who chaired the occasion, reaffirmed her support for the Union and said that the magazine's project is important since it would help the industry better understand maritime workers.

She commended MWUN for consistently making a significant contribution to the expansion of the maritime industry and expressed gratitude to Comrade Adeyanju for his adept negotiation leadership.

Mrs. Sarah Bala, speaking on behalf of Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, called the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry a game-changer for Nigeria and stressed how crucial it is.

She praised the Union for its creative idea that resulted in the magazine's creation, but she also stressed the need for sustainable strategies and perseverance to maintain the publication.

While giving a speech on the subject of "Mid-streaming Labour Rights and Climate Justice in a Blue Economy," Comrade Hauwa Mohammed of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) noted that the world has been experiencing an economic crisis for the past 30 years in addition to climate change, which is caused by the exploitation of natural resources.

She reminded us that the world's main economy used to be based on black gold, but that the blue economy is only starting to take off as people discover its potential.

Comrade Hauwa asserted that the Maritime Labour Voices might also be used to engage with organizations that can assist with research into the effects of governmental policies, educate the public about marine problems, and respond to inquiries about how the activities of the Government will affect the Blue Economy.

Adeyanju acknowledged the enormous contributions of employers, regulators and stakeholders to the stability and growth of the maritime sector as well as the well being and welfare of the sector's operators and practitioners.

"We especially appreciate the Chief Launcher - Barrister Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, MON, my own brother, for his steadfastness and show of commitment to the improvement of the Maritime Sector and its ancillary contents. I thank our maritime amazon Princess Vicky Haastrup a.k.a "mama dockworker" for her motherly role and listening ears and to our friend and trusted ally-Chief Mike Ubogu, we are ever grateful for your kindness and purposeful leadership."

" Maritime Workers' Union of Nigeria also gratefully applaud the managements of NPA, NIMASA, NSC, and NIWA and our numerous stakeholders for studiously and committedly ensuring balanced regulations and standards which promotes safety, efficiency and sterling administration of port operations nationwide: I wish to state that the primary purpose of this magazine is to promote harmonious working environment that would stimulate industrial peace, to represent the voice of the voiceless and to project alternative voices where necessary".