The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) has commended Platforms Communications for its unique and innovative programmes and activities which have made positive impacts in the Nigerian maritime sector over the years; even as the Ministry has pledged its support to ensure sustainability of the programmes.
This commendation was made by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Magdalene Ajani when the Management of Platforms Communications paid her a courtesy visit recently in Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Ajani said that any programmes that focus on Youth Empowerment, Maritime Career Mentorship and Gender Advocacy would be encouraged and supported by the ministry to ensure sustainability.
She added that the array of program initiatives being promoted by Platforms Communications and the success stories it has recorded in the past years shows the company’s genuine commitment and passion towards the development of the maritime industry.
Also speaking, the Director of Maritime Safety and Security, Mr Babatunde Bombata equally thanked Platforms Communications for its contributions towards the growth and advancement of the maritime sector.
He pointed out that the company’s programmes and activities as enumerated by its Chief Exeutive could serve as a veritable success plan programme for the maritime industry if sustained.
Adding that having a succession plan programme for the industry is something the ministry had always wanted and would always support.
Earlier in his opening speech, the Chief Exeutive and Managing Director of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi highlighted the programme initiatives of Platforms Communications and the impacts made since the past nine years.
Some of the programme initiatives promoted by the company include: Annual Maritime Students And Youth Conference (AMSAY); Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Initiative, Maritime Career Mentorship Programme (M-CAMP); Face Of Maritime International (FOMI); Nigerian Maritime Ambassadors Reality TV Show (NIMA), amongst others.
According to him, “Our programmes and activities cut across both the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the newly created Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. This is because participants in most of our programmes are basically young maritime professionals and students drawn from NIMASA accredited maritime academies and that of NBTE accredited institutes, including universities offering maritime and transport related courses.
Speaking further on the company’s programme initiatives and what they aim to achieve, the frontline maritime journalist siad, “Platforms Communications as a fast-growing media company has gone beyond news publications and reportage to invent other initiatives and programmes which has made great impacts and added immense value to the Nigerian maritime sector.
“It is obvious that the company’s programmes and activities are built on four pillars, namely:
a. Youth and Women Empowerment.
b. Maritime Career Mentorship and Development
c. Maritime Succession Plan, and
d. Gender Advocacy.
“All our initiatives are interventionist projects and succession plan programmes for both Transport and Maritime industries if sustained and expanded.
Obasi also thanked the Permanent Secretary and the Ministry Directors and officials for the opportunity to visit and intimate the ministry on the activities of his company.
Present at the visit as part of Platforms Communications Advisory Council members were Former Director of Enforcement, CRFFN, Mr Basil Opara; Former Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa; Former Director, Special Duties of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka and Former President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs Mary Madu Hamman.
Others included the Crowned Queens, Face Of Maritime International (FOMI), Queen Sarah Inyang and Queen Victoria Ahom.
