MWUN Unveils In-house Magazine; Maritime Labour Voice

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Wednesday in Lagos, unveiled the maiden edition of its in-house journal; The Maritime Labour Voice .

The glossy magazine with specialised content on blue economy, labour activities, port operations among others was unveiled by the Chief launcher and Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi.

Speaking at the event, President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju stated that the magazine was created to promote harmonious working environment that will stimulate industrial peace and represent the voice of the voiceless.

According to him, the new publication ‘Maritime Labour Voice’ is the outcome of the collective dream of the leaders and members of the union.

Adeyanju said that Nigeria is a maritime nation blessed with valuable water resources that contribute immensely to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of food, mineral resources and marine transport.

The MWUN boss observed that the government must have a positive response to threats posed by the reckless use of the oceans led to the creation of the Blue Economy.

Chairman of the event, Princess Vicky Haastrup said the initiative to establish the magazine is timely as it will enable the sector to understand the maritime workers better.

She congratulated MWUN for their consistency in contributing immensely to the growth of the Maritime sector while appreciating Comrade Adeyanju for his leadership style of negotiation and pledging her support to the union.

Representing the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko, Mrs Sarah Bala described the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry as a game changer in Nigeria as its importance cannot be over-emphasized.

While commending the Union for the novel initiative which led to publishing the magazine, she emphasized on the sustainable approaches and diligence to keep the publication running.

Also speaking, President of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) Maritime Branch, Comrade Akin Bodunde commended MWUN for the magazine initiative.

He described it as a means of communicating the enormous challenges facing workers in the maritime industry.

Comrade Hauwa Mohammed from the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) while delivering a speech on the topic: “Mid-streaming Labour Rights and Climate Justice in a Blue Economy,” observed that the world has been going through economic crisis for the past 30 years alongside climate change which is the exploitation of the resources of the land.

She recalled that before now, black gold was the major economy in the world but now the world is about to explore the opportunities inherent in the waters for the blue economy.

According to her, Maritime Labour Voice could also be utilized for education about maritime issues as well as partnering with institutions that can help with researches around implications of governmental policies and answering questions on how the actions of government will affect the Blue Economy

Guest speakers at the magazine unveiling include: Barrister Osuala Emmanuel Nwagbara and Hauwa Mohammed from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The event witnessed the creme-del-a-creme of the maritime Industry.

Also in attendance are; Mr Mark Walsh Managing Director of ENL Consortium Limited, Port Manager Lagos Ports Complex, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mr. Charles Bamidele Okaga, as well as Comrade Ismail Bello from NLC.