By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The much-publicized Nigeria- China Currency Swap Deal Breakfast Meeting on the theme “Navigating the Nigeria-Peoples Republic Of China Currency Swap: Opportunities and Challenges for Import, Export and Maritime Business” takes place

on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 by 10 at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.

In a reminder by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), the host, its

President, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, said the event will attract participants from the government and private sector as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.

Also, the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, importers, exporters, maritime operators and trade organizations have signified readiness to attend.

Mr Bivbere said that MARAN is hosting the Breakfast Meeting in fulfillment of her role as a watch- dog in the maritime sector and to ensure that Nigerian businessmen take full advantage of the matter to be discussed.

The Nigeria-China currency swap aims to facilitate bilateral trade by providing Naira liquidity to Chinese businesses and Yuan liquidity to Nigerian businesses, thereby reducing reliance on foreign currencies for transactions.

The meeting, Mr Bivbere said, would provide a platform for critical stakeholders in the import and export sectors, policymakers, and government to examine the implications of the currency swap deal, especially in the face of the fluctuating value of the US dollar and its impact on imports.

It will foster better understanding of the currency swap deal and its impact on stakeholders involved in import, export and maritime businesses.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Embassy have confirmed they will attend.

Aare Hakeem Olanrewaju, event Chairman and Chairman of the Customs Consultative Council, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), and other major stakeholders have also confirmed they are set to attend.

The breakfast meeting promises to provide the necessary insights for stakeholders to navigate the opportunities and perceived challenges in the currency swap deal.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

Maritime journalist and communications professional, Joshua Yousouph, Thursday, added a feather to his distinguished academic cap when he earned a Master of Science (MSc) Degree in Communication Studies from the Lagos State University (LASU).

Yousouph, a member of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) who currently serves as a News Reporter with Shipping Position Daily, balanced his rigorous full-time reporting job with the demands of a full-time postgraduate programme. He also doubles as an On-Air Personality on Shipping Position Live, a leading maritime radio programme aired thrice weekly on Star FM 101.5FM, Lagos.

In 2019, Yousouph earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State. Driven by a passion for professionalism and excellence, he enrolled for an academic Masters Degree in Communication Studies at the Lagos State University.

Part of the requirement for his postgraduate journey was an MSc dissertation entitled “Maritime Reportage in Some Selected Newspapers in Nigeria”. Yousouph conducted a research on the content analysis of three major national dailies, critically examining the volume, depth, and consistency of their maritime coverage. The study explored how these newspapers portray maritime issues and the implications for public awareness, sector development, and policy engagement and economic development. His research is considered a valuable contribution to the ongoing efforts on strengthening maritime communication and visibility in mainstream Nigerian media.

Yousouph, a young and dynamic journalist, is a member of the Editorial Board of MARAN News, a bi-monthly tabloid dedicated to critical maritime sector issues. Over the years, he has served on various editorial boards, building a reputation for excellence in content development, news reporting and public interest journalism.

He is also an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), further cementing his professional standing in the communications field.

Yousouph dedicates this achievement to his family, mentors, colleagues, and every aspiring journalist who continues to chase ennobling dreams in the face of challenges.

“This degree is not just a personal achievement”, he notes, “but a symbol of what is possible when passion, perseverance and purpose align.”

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Dredgers’ Association of Nigeria (DAN) has advised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to separate reclamation activities from industrial dredging so as not to confuse Nigerians over the two different types of economic activity.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Lagos, Wednesday, DAN took a strong exception to an accusation by the Minister that dredgers are responsible for the poor infrastructural state of Eko and Carter bridges in Lagos.

Disagreeing with the Minister’s position, Mr Richard Ntan, DAN’s General Secretary, submitted that there is no direct corelation between

dredging and bridge infrastructure.

“We wish to clarify that industrial dredging carried out by our members is not the cause of the damage observed in these structures,”

Industrial dredging, according to DAN, is highly regulated, focusing on areas in the creeks and centre of the Lagos lagoon far away from the bridges. Industrial dredging carried out by DAN members is a key essential for maintaining navigable waterways and smooth movement of vessels in and out of Lagos. It is crucial and contributes to growing the city’s economic development.

Industrial dredging, the association’s scribe further clarified, is not harmful to infrastructure such as bridges because the process is driven through a well-articulated environmental ecosystem assessment which ensures deeper waterways for large vessels. There is regulation through professional methods strictly supervised to minimise any negative impact.

However, the association called for thorough investigation of the ongoing reclamation dredging near Third Mainland Bridge as it is time to truly know the status of those who do reclamation dredging activities as against industrial dredging only members of DAN are known for.

“We at DAN support the Minister that reclamation dredging activities should not take place near bridges. It’s important that the Minister finds out the true picture of those dredging near bridges and also not lump us at the Dredgers Association of Nigeria with such operators,” Ntan stated.

Dredgers Association of Nigeria, he insisted, remains committed to the responsible conduct of dredging activities in Lagos and across Nigeria in full compliance with national regulations to ensure that operations and activities do not harm the environment or vital national infrastructure.

DAN, he added, shares in the Minister’s concerns about the need to preserve Nigeria’s infrastructure.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that all dredging operations are carried out in ways that support the nation’s economic growth while safeguarding critical infrastructure such as bridges”.