Presenting the award to Jomoh in his office last Friday, the
AMJON President, Paul Ogbuokiri enumerated the quantum of transformations that
have come to the industry since the seasoned maritime expert took over the
helmship of Nigerian maritime administration in March, 2020.
According to Ogbuokiri, the various achievements of the DG
include but not limited to, taming piracy as reflected in the International
Maritime Bureau (IMB) third-quarter 2021 report, campaign for the removal of
Nigeria among nations that pay war risk insurance premium, removal of wrecks
and derelicts in Nigerian water ways, among others.
Ogbuokiri said: “We are not here to celebrate you on the
mere grounds the you are Dr Jamoh, we have come to celebrate the
transformations your administration has brought to the Nigerian maritime
industry.
“We have followed your track record since you joined NIMASA
as a Principal Officer, from where you rose through the ranks to the position
of Executive Director, Finance and Administration, and then the Federal
Government appointed you the DG.
“This honour my association is bestowing on you is our
humble way of congratulating you for the good work you are doing at NIMASA and
encouraging you to do much more. The industry is happy with you, you are doing
well for the industry, you have achieved much in less than two years of your
administration.
“The recent IMB report has said it all by stating that
piracy has already decreased by 77per cent in the first nine months of 2021.
“We are expecting that by the time the fourth quarter report
will be out, there will be bigger and better result than what we have today.
‘We know what you are doing on removal of Nigeria among
nations that pay war risk insurance premium, removal of wrecks and derelicts in
Nigerian water ways. We are also expecting another bigger result from the
International Maritime Organizaion(IMO) Council election.”
Appreciating the gesture, Jamoh said celebrating him was
more of celebrating the maritime industry.
The award he said is dedicated to the industry he loves so
much and ready to stake all he could to see it change for the better.
“Celebrating me, is a celebration of the maritime industry
which is my first constituency. This is an industry I so much love, and have
passion for.
“At anytime I have the opportunity to speak about this
industry, I do so with zest and passion.
“My love drives me to work late at nights many at times.
Even when I traveled out and returned.
“I came back from Greece and came down to the office for a
meeting, I couldn’t even eat. At the end I went home at midnight.
“Early morning, I was here in the office because I like what
am doing, I enjoy what am doing. I always say it, there is no other better
place than this industry,”
On the role of the media in giving the right narratives and
in promoting the maritime industry, the NIMASA boss extolled the dedication and
promptness of Nigerian maritime Journalists to bring the sector to the door
steps of the global world, and further charged them on togetherness.
“I think you are doing a lot in terms of enlightenment to
the public, in terms of changing perceptions; in terms of directions, and so
many others.
“You wake up at 3:00am you see maritime media, you see
reports. Whether we like it or not, you are adding value, but it could be
better if you could become one.
“Though we have freedom of association, but splitting into
many groups of maritime Journalists has not payed well.
‘In any case, I want to appreciate the maritime journalists
whether you are divided or not.
“I really appreciate you aIl in AMJON, I congratulate you
for a successful year, Jamoh stated.
The annual AMJON Conference/Awards ceremony was held at the
Lagos Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja on the 19th of November, 2021 where Dr
Jamoh and other notable Nigerians were slated to be honoured for their
outstanding achievements.