AMSAY Conference ranks top amongst maritime events – Akabogu

AMSAY Conference ranks top amongst maritime events – Akabogu

…As Sunmola, Agbor, others urge youths to leverage on digitalisation

Renowned maritime lawyer and Principal Partner of Akabogu Law, Dr Emeka Akabogu has reiterated the importance of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference, saying it ranks top amongst maritime events in Nigeria due to its relevance and uniqueness. This is even as the President of Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators, Mr Bolaji Sunmola; President of Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Mrs Funke AGBOR -SAN and other maritime professionals urged Nigerian maritime students and youths to leverage on technology and digitalisation, in order to play active roles in the maritime industry.

Speaking while giving his opening remarks as Chairman of the occasion, Dr Akabogu pointed out that among all the events being organised in the maritime industry, AMSAY CONFERENCE is one of the best and ranks top among others.

“I think this event should rank top and is seen as the best among top events in the maritime industry. This is because the maritime industry over the years has suffered a lot in terms of shortage of manpower development, and event such as this has come to bridge the gap.”

“So, I use this opportunity to congratulate the convener, Platforms Communications for organising this programme for the past nine
Years. This event has given opportunities for maritime students to discover their careers over the years, and to get the right directions on what they should be doing in their chosen career.”

Speaking further, he noted that the importance of the programme cannot be over emphasized, as he called on government agencies, private companies and professional bodies in the sector to key into the programme and take it very seriously.

“I am not even sure if we understand the importance of this event. This is an important event in the maritime industry that should be taken seriously by all”, he said.

Also speaking during the occasion, the President of Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Companies (NASO) Mr Bolaji Sunmola who doubles as the Father of the Day advised the Nigerian maritime students and youths to get themselves prepared to use the immense opportunities provided for them by the industry.

According to him, “Data is the new oil in the digital economy. As ships and ports become connected, they also become vulnerable. So, there is growing demand for cyber-aware maritime professionals”, he said, urging students to pay close attention to digital logistics and supply chain coordination, which he said would equip them with the ability to learn how smart technologies like GPS, RFID, and IoT are integrated into maritime logistics.

To stay relevant in what he called the “fast changing industry,” the NASO President further advised the students to upskill continually, learn beyond their curriculum, take certification in logistics tech, data science, maritime ICT, among others.

Speaking further, he said, “Be tech-curious, understand the basics of how technologies like blockchain, AI, or machine learning relate to shipping and trade. Engage in simulations or internships – whether it’s port operations, vessel monitoring, or customs clearance, seek practical experiences.

“Network with industry players, a Conference like this one is a golden opportunity. Ask questions, introduce yourself and connect with people. Follow industry trends, read journals, follow IMO updates, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn.”

“The traditional image of cargo handling is being reimagined with digital inventory systems, remote operations, and advanced safety technologies. We are therefore, committed to working with institutions, regulators, and stakeholders to promote training and youth involvement in stevedoring innovations.

“To the students: you are not just the future—you are the present. You must not wait for change to happen; you must prepare for it, adapt to it, and be the ones driving it.”

On her own, the President of Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs. Funke Agbor-SAN, who doubles as the Mother of the Day, informed the students that the maritime sector was quite broad, including both land-based and shore-based opportunities, even as she urged them to use the opportunity presented by the conference to meet and engage with industry stakeholders, who had excelled and made name for themselves as they stand to gain a lot of insights from them.

“Also as the theme of today’s conference is about automation and digitalization, it’s also about the future and you are that future. A lot of you have IT skills and not just IT, a lot of you have presence in cyber space, make good use of it”, she said.

Also speaking, the immediate past President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, challenged the students to use the tremendous opportunities and ability inherent in them to conquer the challenges that are present in today’s maritime industry.

According to her, “The world has been compressed into your laptop and nothing that is going on today that you don’t have in there.
“Make sure that when you are looking at your phone or your laptop, that you will see something that will add value to what you can be and add value to your industry, not just following events that don’t add anything to you.

“I will advise also to reduce your time in frivolities and focus more on things that will add to the industry that you are in and build you up, and also enhance your marketability. Therefore, the future is there, the future is the youths and the maritime industry is also the youths. Therefore, you have opportunities, key into it and excel in it” she averred.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Convener of AMSAY Conference and CEO of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi noted that the AMSAY Conference “is a youths centric maritime industry succession plan programme, which converge both the young and older maritime practitioners and engage them in topical discussions that proffer solutions to critical and contemporary issues affecting the future of the maritime industry.”

According to him, “since the programme debut in 2016, it has given Nigerian maritime students and young maritime professionals a reason to imagine, to dream, to aspire and to hope for a better future, and this accounts for the impressive turn out of participants each year, a confirmation that the AMSAY Conference brand has indeed been very impactful, as evident in the Students’ Testimonials published in the conference brochure”, he hinted.

Highlights of the event includes Paper Presentations, Speech-Making Competition by the three selected finalists, Panel Discusaions, Questions and Answers session, Presentation of Awards to the Best Graduated Maritime Students, Photo Sessions, among others.

The event was well attended by representatives of heads of government agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); the Council for the Regulations of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN); as well as private maritime operators and professional organisations in the maritime industry.