Showing the Enormous Potential of the Nation's Blue Economy may be accomplished via Marine Art - Oyetola
Kathy Kyari
Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue industry, has stated that marine art is a feasible substitute for showcasing the vast potentials of the country's blue industry and reducing sea blindness.
Speaking at the African Maritime Art Exhibition's (AMAE) 2nd edition opening ceremony on Friday in Lagos with the subject "The Convergence: Maritime meets ICT," Oyetola made this observation.
The Minister, represented by Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, noted that as art appeals to human emotions, it has the potential to be a powerful instrument for advancing the goals and objectives of the marine sector.
His words: “Maritime Art Exhibition is another way to reach out to Nigerians about blue economy. It can be an effective way to build the consciousness of the maritime in the minds of Nigerians. With the creation of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, there is a greater need for this awareness to enable citizens grasp the importance of the sector.”
“This is a meeting point for the town and gown. AMAE 2023 comes with a new twist- the Conference – to facilitate quality exchange in the industry. Themed “The Convergence… Maritime Meets ICT”, this forum underscores the invaluable need for up-to-date technologies across the value chain. Our 2023 audience is largely drawn from the Blue Economy, Art and the ICT worlds. The conference will help participants/stakeholders find Information Communication Technology solutions,” she said.
Technology is the cornerstone and facilitator in the development of the Blue Economy, according to guest speaker Mr. Udoh Idongesit, who gave a talk on the subject of "ICT Disruptions for the Sustainability of the Blue Economy". Additionally, he mentioned that real-time monitoring, surveillance, and security, climate resilience, predictive analytics, and documentation, storage, and cybersecurity are the three main areas in which Nigeria can use ICT to promote the Blue Economy.
"Big Data Analytics, decentralized storage that is what continues to play when we are looking at technology adoption. Overall we have looked at adoption of AI, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, Cybersecurity - what is necessary and what should be, cloud computing and where it can be applied".
"The large coast line that we have is structured that we can bring all these into it. Adopting all these technology is the only approach to taking us to where we are". He said
Ezinne Azunna, the event's organizer, expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister and every guest who made the effort to come.
She went on to express her hope that some of the suggestions made by conference attendees will be adopted by the Minister.
"I think it is imperative because we do not have an option. I must thank the Hon. Minister for attending, that shows commitment. Like many people said, he's been around and it has been a tedious week for the Minister. Finding time to be a part of the exhibition and listening to the conversations and making contributions.
"Like the guest speaker said, ICT is the bedrock and enabler of advancement. As long as we want to advance in the country, we have to look at it holistically and not in silos anymore because it limits us".
The event's high point was the opening of the art exhibition by the Blue Economy Minister's representative, who was joined by prominent figures in the maritime industry, such as Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, President of the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria; Ify Akerele, Vice President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS); Mrs. Affi Ibanga, the first female bonded terminal operator in Nigeria; Mrs. Gloria Kanabe, Vice President of the Women in Maritime (WIMA), Nigerian Chapter; and Temilade Ogunniyi, Commercial Manager of AP Moller Terminals.
Among the others were Mr. Osagie Edwards, Assistant Director of Public Relations at NIMASA; Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Director General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS); Koni Duniya, President of the Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria (FESAN); and Engineer Ajibade Hamzat, Manager of Engineering at Radial Circle Technical Services.
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