Continuation & Consolidation Of Existing Brands
The emergence of these two new brands in 2022 didn’t stop Platforms Communications from continuing and consolidating on the activities and programs of its existing brands as follow:
1. AMSAY CONFERENCE: With a captivating central theme tagged, “JOB CREATION FOR NIGERIAN YOUTH” the 2022 edition of the Annual Maritime Students And Youths Conference popularly known as ‘A Day With Nigerian Maritime Students’ held as usual on May 27, 2022 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa Lagos with over 300 maritime students/youths from various maritime schools in attendance.
The 2022 edition of AMSAY Conference was unique in its own way following the introduction of AMSAY Conference Speech Making Competition sponsored by Capt Dr Fola Ojutalayo as an integral part of the Conference programs. The maiden Speech Making Competition was won by Miss Gift Onome Unyere, while Mr Taiwo Ogunleke emerged the First Runner Up.
The Conference was Chaired by Prof Capt Abiodun Sule, Executive Director, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR); the Keynote Speech was delivered by Capt Sunday Umoren, Secretary-General, Abuja MOU on Ports State Control; the First and Second Paper Presentations were delivered by Barr Temisan Omatseye, Former DG NIMASA and Prof Iyiola Oni of the University of Lagos respectively.
Even as Prof Calistus Ibe of Federal University of Technology, Owerri and Dr Mrs Chinwe Felicia Muogo, Former Director, Marine Environment Management Dept of NIMASA featured as Father and Mother of the Day respectively. Including moderators and panelists for the two paper presentations as well as a host of other maritime dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Impacts & Benefits Of 2022 AMSAY Conference:
i. AMSAY Conference provided a suitable avenue for the students and upcoming maritime professionals to meet, interact and exchange practical knowledge with industry practitioners beyond the classroom teachings.
ii. As a succession plan, the event availed the students the opportunity to voice their challenges, ask pertinent questions and enable government agencies, private companies and industry players to understand the challenges of the students with a view to helping them overcome such challenges and better position them for success as future ambassadors and successors of the industry.
iii. It provided a veritable advocacy platform that championed all critical issues affecting the future of Nigerian maritime students and the youth as future leaders of the maritime industry.
IV. It rewarded academic excellence and stimulated healthy academic competition amongst Nigerian maritime students by identifying and honouring 10 Best Graduating Maritime Students in various fields of maritime studies as Peter Aroh, a Nautical Science student of FCFMT emerged the Overall Best Graduated Maritime Student for 2020 Academic session with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.75, classified as Distinction.
v. It was an enriching capacity building and educative program through the resourceful paper presentations, panel discussions and the interactive questions and answers session that proffered solutions to critical issues affecting the students.
vi. Winner of AMSAY Conference Speech Making Competition, Miss Uyere Gift went home with an Award Plaque, a Certificate of Excellent Speech and a total cash prize of one hundred thousand naira (#100,000) of which #50,000 was donated by the sponsor of the Competition, Capt Dr Fola Ojutalayo; and #30,000 donated by Elkins Marine Training International (EMTI) while #20,000 was donated by Capt Alfred OLUWASEGUN Oniye.
Whereas the Runner Up, Taiwo Ogunleke went home with a Certificate of Excellent Speech and a total sum of forty-five thousand naira (#45,000) of which, #20,000 was donated by Capt Dr Fola Ojutalayo and #25,000 donated by EMTI.
The Two winners also received free copies of a book written by the Mother of the Day, Dr Mrs Felicia Chinwe Mogo on Blue Economy. vii. Above all, the conference exposed the students and the up-coming young professionals to the enormous potential in the maritime sector and how to tap into it.
2. GIRLS GO-TO-SEA CAMPAIGN: This is the primary pet-project of the winner of Face Of Maritime International (FOMI). GGOTSEC is a catch-them-young campaign program targeted at secondary school girls with a view to sensitizing Nigerian girls about career opportunities for women in the maritime sector as well as encourage them to study maritime related courses at their tertiary education levels in order to qualify for maritime jobs thereby increase the participation of women in core maritime professions in Nigeria.
GGOTSEC is promoted and executed by Platforms Communications through the office of the Crowned Queen, Face Of Maritime International. In 2022, the project held as follows:
On April 6th 2022, Platforms Communications through the office of the Crowned Queen, Face Of Maritime International organised Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Program at Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School, Surulere Lagos where over 1000 school girls were in attendance. The reigning FOMI Queen, Miss Temitope Ogunkanmi; the NIMASA Director of Cabotage, Barr Mrs Rita Uruakpa and the CEO of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi were resource persons that enlightened the school girls on career opportunities for women in the maritime sector.
Also on October 19, 2022, Platforms Communications together with the FOMI Queen held another Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Program at Methodist Girls High School, Surulere Lagos where over 100 senior students of the school attended the GGOTSEC Program.
Impacts & Benefits Of 2022 GGOTSEC Programs:
i. It created awareness about maritime and its career options to young secondary school girls who hitherto knew nothing about maritime.
ii. It provided career guidance to the school girls and encouraged them to pursue maritime career paths.
iii. It ignited and deepened the gender advocacy campaign of the maritime sector amongst the students with a view to increase greater participation of women in maritime careers.
iv. Face Of Maritime International branded Exercise books and biros were also given out to the students as sourvenirs during each of the GGOTSEC programs.
v. Above all, GGOTSEC would ultimately lead to gender balance and gender equality in the maritime sector in the nearest future as more girls would take up career at sea.
3. FACE OF MARITIME INTERNATIONAL (FOMI): This is a maritime industry beauty pageant of international standards which uses beauty queens and outstanding maritime women as role models to promote gender advocacy and campaign for greater participation of women in core maritime professions.
The 2022 edition of Face Of Maritime International began in November with Registration of Contestants, followed by Audition, Preliminary Tasks, one Week Faculty Camp Training which culminated with the Grand Finale held on December 18, 2022 wherein Queen Adaeze Charlyn Udom emerged the Crowned Winner, Face Of Maritime International 2022; while Queen Victoria Ahom and Queen Precious Christopher emerged First and Second Runners Up respectively.
At the Grand Finale of FOMI 2022, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation Dr Mrs Magdalene Ajani was conferred with the Honour of Grand Matron, Face Of Maritime International; whereas Mrs Rollens Macfoy was honoured as FOMI Role Model Ambassador 2022. Even as DG NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, ED NIOMR, Prof Capt Abiodun Sule; Customs Area Controller, Kebbi Command, Comptroller Joseph Attah as well as Emmanuel and Joseph Okon were honoured with the Nigerian Shereos and Hereos Award.
Whereas the Assistant General Manager, Media, Communications and Protocol of NPA, Pst Mrs Sarah Kwaala Ballah; Deputy Director ISPS NIMASA, Ms Gloria Adaugo Anyasodo; Head, Corporate and Strategic Communications of NPA, Lagos Port Complex, Mrs Arit Asuquo Nwokedi; and Head of Marine Department of NIWA, Engr Mrs Elsie Adanne Egwuatu were also honoured with the Maritime Amazons Award.
Impacts & Benefits Of FOMI 2022:
i. As a women empowerment initiative, the 3 newly Crowned Winners/Queens won #500,000, #300,000 and #200,000 cash prizes respectively.
ii. Two contestants: Miss NPA, Rebecca Akintimehin and Miss Customs, Janet Bolakale won maritime scholarship offers from Mrs Rollens Macfoy, FOMI Role Model Ambassador 2022.
iii. Three Contestants also won special Recognition Awards as follows:
a. Miss CRFFN, Princess Faith Nwafor – FOMI Top Model Award 2022
b. Miss MWUN, Precious Christopher – FOMI Miss Intellectual Award 2022.
c. Miss NPA, Rebecca Akintimehin – FOMI Most Talented Award 2022.
iv. Besides winning cash prizes, the three crowned Queens also won one year endorsement deals; one year media promotions and publicity, even as the main Queen equally won scholarship for specialised maritime courses.
v. FOMI 2022 was a veritable platform to expand and deepen the gender advocacy campaign, youth mentorship and women empowerment in the maritime sector.
vi. It provided a suitable avenue to create awareness and change the public perception that maritime is not only for men.
vii. As an entertainment program, FOMI 2022 provided the much needed fun and relaxation for maritime stakeholders and the general public as contestants, comedians and music artistes thrilled the audience with amazing performances.
*** T o be concluded in Part 3***