The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) has on Thursday 25th July, held its 2026 Annual General Meeting and Lecture, reaffirmed it's committment to professionalism, excellence dedication which has help preserve the integrity, unity and values CONMMEP was founded.
In his welcome address, CONMMEP President, Udo Onyeka, while addressing the guest at Presken Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, said the association’s journey since its establishment in 2021 has been one of “growth, resilience, progress, and impactful contributions to the Nigerian maritime industry
According to Udo Onyeka, the theme of the lecture: "Maritime Security, Trade Facilitation and the Media."will explore the critical relationship between maritime security, trade facilitation, national economic development, and the strategic role of the media as both a watchdog and a partner in promoting national security and sustainable growth.
In his words,"We shall honour some distinguished personalities with the CONMMEP Leadership Excellence Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development, leadership, and service to humanity.
"Today marks another significant milestone in the history of CONMMEP as we celebrate five years of growth, resilience, progress, and impactful contributions to the Nigerian maritime industry. Since our establishment in 2021, we have steadily built a vibrant and respected professional body dedicated to promoting excellence in maritime journalism and fostering constructive engagement within the sector".
He expressed his sincere appreciation to every member of the association for their unwavering support, commitment, and dedication to the ideals of CONMMEP.
"Your active participation and steadfast belief in our collective vision have been instrumental in the achievements we have recorded over the years".
The President also commended the Executive Committee for “tireless efforts, selfless service, and steadfast support” in the past year under the current leadership, which assumed office a year ago. He equally praised members who have “consistently upheld the constitution, rules, and regulations” of the association, saying their discipline has helped “preserve the integrity, unity, and values upon which CONMMEP was founded.”
“While we reflect on our accomplishments, we must also recognize the lessons learned from our challenges. These lessons will strengthen our resolve as we build a more formidable, influential, and prosperous association,” Onyeka said.
Earlier speaking, while delivering a keynote lecture titled, ” Maritime Security, Trade facilitation and the Media : The role of the Media in curbing smuggling in Nigeria’s maritime corridor,” the head of Research at the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), Lagos
Forwarder Dr. Eugene Nweke, urged maritime journalists, customs officials, security agencies and industry stakeholders, to step up fight against Smuggling , that the fight should no longer be viewed as the responsibility of enforcement agencies alone., but journalists must become active partners in protecting Nigeria’s economy and national security through credible, evidence-based reporting.
He said that such criminal activities as Smuggling, revenue leakages, systemic weaknesses within the sector, can only be exposed through conscious investigations beyond mere official statements.
Forwarder Nweke described smuggling as one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s economic development and internal security, which has evolved beyond the illegal movement of prohibited goods to include sophisticated criminal activities such as arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, trade-based money laundering, fuel diversion, wildlife crimes and revenue evasion.
Nweke said the consequences of smuggling extend beyond revenue losses, undermining local manufacturing through unfair competition, distorting national trade statistics, encouraging insecurity through the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, and exposing Nigerians to counterfeit medicines, substandard products and dangerous narcotics.
He urged maritime journalists to embrace investigative journalism as a preventive security tool rather than limiting coverage to press conferences, ceremonial events and official press releases.
Nweke further advised Maritime journalists to investigate customs revenue leakages, abuse of waivers, trade fraud, cargo misclassification and under-declaration, arguing that celebrating revenue collections alone was insufficient without scrutinising areas where government earnings are lost.
He, also, advocated continuous public enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians on the economic and security implications of smuggling, stressing that an informed society is less susceptible to recruitment by criminal organisations.
Dr. Nweke warned of heightened risks associated with the movement of illicit arms, hard drugs, politically motivated contraband and illegal financial flows, urging the media to remain objective and place national security above political interests
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