Ihenacho Urges Maritime Media to Drive Reform, Accountability in Nigeria’s Blue Economy
Kathy Kyari
Former Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, has called on maritime journalists to play a more strategic and technically grounded role in shaping Nigeria’s maritime development, stressing that responsible media practice is critical to reform, investment, and sectoral growth.
Speaking at a reception on Friday, organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in honour of its past presidents in Lagos, Ihenacho highlighted the media’s influence in driving sustainable maritime development through agenda-setting, accountability, public education, and stakeholder mobilisation.
Drawing from nearly five decades of experience in the maritime industry, Ihenacho noted that journalism remains a powerful tool for elevating sectoral issues into national discourse.
“One of the great powers of the media is the power to decide what receives sustained attention,” he said, explaining that persistent coverage of challenges such as port congestion, cargo delays, multiple checkpoints, and high transaction costs has helped push these concerns into policy focus.
He however, cautioned against inconsistent reporting, adding that “agenda-setting is most valuable when it is sustained, balanced, and informed. It is less useful when it becomes episodic loud during crisis, silent during reform.”
On accountability, Ihenacho acknowledged the media’s watchdog role in exposing inefficiencies and corruption risks within the sector but warned against reportage based on incomplete or inaccurate information.
“A misleading report may damage confidence, unsettle investors, create unnecessary friction, or cast suspicion where none is deserved,” he said, urging journalists to prioritise “truth that improves systems” over sensationalism.
The former minister also underscored the importance of public education in a highly technical industry, noting that effective communication can bridge knowledge gaps and improve compliance.
“Nigeria cannot build a strong blue economy with a poorly informed public,” he stated, calling for simpler explanations of policies, more data-driven reporting, and increased focus on maritime education and inland waterways.
He further stressed the media’s role in uniting stakeholders across government, private sector, and regulatory bodies to drive collective progress.
“The media often provides the platform where that alignment begins,” he said, adding that journalists should go beyond reporting events to tracking commitments and ensuring follow-through on policy promises.
Addressing maritime journalists directly, Ihenacho described their role as a “strategic national assignment,” urging them to deepen their technical knowledge and uphold professional integrity.
“Your words can attract confidence or discourage it. Your questions can trigger reform or expose complacency,” he said.
“Therefore, invest deeply in knowledge, Interrogate data. Verify facts. Protect credibility.”
Iheanacho emphasized the need for a responsible and informed maritime press to accelerate national development.
“Where the media is responsible, informed, and courageous, industries progress faster. Where reporting is careless, shallow, or easily swayed, progress becomes harder,” he added.
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