MAJAN roundtable chat on AFCFTA schedule for Thursday 18 Feb,2021. As Comrade Ray Ugochukwu tasks Journalist on investigative reportage.

Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, president of Maritime Journalist Association of Nigeria tasks reporters covering the maritime industry to practice investigative Journalism in their reportage.

He said that while journalists cannot be blamed for doing run- off- the- mill reports, it is also very important that they begin to engage in investigative reportage, which will be more beneficial to the society, and the reporter

Addressing members at the powerful pen media Congress recently in Apapa, Lagos.
Ugochukwu said that maritime is the second-largest revenue-generating sector for the Federal Government after oil, reporters covering such sector must investigate and bring out sharp practices to the attention of government and the public

He emphasised that Journalists must be fair and objective in their reportage. Stressed that their investigative reports must be presented with facts and figures

Ugochukwu further stated that “The focus is on, ‘African Continental Free Trade Agreement’ (AFCFTA)’ because this is an important issue for now.
Disclosed that all MAJAN members are going to have a Roundtable chat with selected stakeholders on this particular topic. In the end, we will inform the public through our reports, as Journalists, it’s obligatory on our part is to constantly disseminate information to the public

He stressed the need for investigative reportage, said it was imperative for reporters to always expose sharp practices and rots in the sector, also to
enable Government to take proactive measures in combating factors militating against the growth of the sector so as to sanitize the entire system.

Responding to questions on the preparedness of MAJAN to hold its “National Maritime Summit on Apapa traffic gridlock” scheduled for March 2021, he said;
“We are on course. Plans are on top gear to ensure a successful outing”.

He added, “The MAJAN Roundtable chat on AFCFTA is equally important because recommendations from stakeholders will help the government on policies formulation and implementation”.

Urged maritime journalists to step up in reporting the sector, especially the rots in the entire industry