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Navy, MARCON To Partner In Maritime Security Confab
The Nigerian Navy has pledged to support the Maritime Reporters Congress of Nigeria (MARCON) in its efforts to promote security in the nation’s maritime sector.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim who made the pledge when the MARCON executives called on him recently also expressed concern over the proliferation of maritime academies and the activities of some Merchant Navy men which he said, rob off adversely on the operations of the Nigerian Navy.
Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Command, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogbo, the Chief of Naval Staff expressed concern over the poor state of security in the country, pointing out that more needed to be done in beefing up security in the maritime sector, if the nation’s wealth is to be protected.
Tracing the origin of Merchant Navy to the days of the Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL), Admiral Ola expressed concern that the negative activities of some irresponsible modern day Merchant Navy men affect the Nigerian Navy negatively because of the similarity in uniforms.
He said the up-coming MARCON security conference could not have come at a better time, promising to support the successful hosting of the conference.
Earlier, the leader of the conference organizing committee and former president of MARCON, Mr. Ismail Aniemu had briefed the Chief of Naval Staff on this year’s conference whose theme, he said, is: “Preventing Terrorism in Nigeria’s Maritime Industry: Options and Strategies”.
The conference, Aniemu said, will hold in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital from November 29 to 30.
It would be recalled that the yearly conference of MARCON had continued to target solutions to the challenges in the maritime sector of the nation’s economy with a view to promoting economic growth.
McDominic Mkpemenyie
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.