MARAN Elects Godfrey Bivbere of Vanguard Newspaper As President

By Dapo Olawuni

The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has elected Mr Godfrey Bivbere as it’s President, heading a new set of executives to pilot affairs of the foremost maritime journalists association for the next three years.

The MARAN election which held at it’s International Maritime Centre in Apapa was conducted by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by its Lagos State Council Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi.

Mr Bivbere took over the reigns of the association from a caretaker committee headed by Mr Adegboyega Oni which was installed late 2022.

Mr Bivbere from Maritime Desk of the Vanguard Newspapers, was elected unopposed, an unprecedented event in the history of MARAN which was established since 1988.

Other executives of MARAN who emerged unopposed alongside Mr Bivbere are; Mr Adegboyega Oni from Port News as Vice President, Mr Babajide Okeowo as Secretary General, Sandra Chukwuyenre as Public Relations Officer.

Others are Mrs Pearl Ngwama as Assistant Secretary, Abba Collins is Financial Secretary and Joy Mmereole Okoli as Treasurer.

Speaking while swearing in the new executives, the NUJ Lagos Council Chairman, Mr Leye Ajayi said that Bivbere’s unopposed election was the first in the history of MARAN.

“MARAN election is always keenly contested, but Godfrey Bivbere is coming in unopposed, and this means he is highly loved by all MARAN members. Godfrey is not new in the association, he is tested and trusted, a professional to the core” he said

Ajayi however enjoined the new MARAN President to use his presidency to unite members of the association, to carry all members along, and to always listen to advise.

“You must run an inclusive government, don’t be parochial but try be fair to all members”

Ajayi also charged members of MARAN to corporate with the new executives to achieve success.

In his acceptance speech, Godfrey Bivbere appreciated all MARAN members for their support, even as he promised to serve the association will he got.

“From now on, the job starts, it is going to be a collective work, we are going to carry along all members, I and my executives promise to restore the glory of MARAN and return her to its winning ways” Bivbere said