CONMMEP Reaffirms Commitment And Professionalism As Expert Tasks Media On Fight Against Smuggling At AGM

The Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP) has reaffirmed her commitment to professionalism, excellence and dedication in order to preserve the integrity, unity and values on which the association CONMMEP was founded.

The President of the Association,  Comrade Udo Onyeka gave this assurance on Thursday, 25th July 2026, while delivering a welcome address at the opening ceremony of the Annual General meeting and lecture which was held at the Presken Hotels, Ikeja Lagos.

Giving insight on the association, he said the association’s journey since its establishment in 2021 has been one of “growth, resilience, progress and impactful contributions to the Nigerian maritime industry.

Speaking on the theme of the lecture: "Maritime Security, Trade Facilitation and the Media; "The role of the Media in curbing smuggling in Nigeria’s maritime corridor,”    Comrade Onyeka stated that the lecture will explore the critical relationship between maritime security, trade facilitation, national economic development and the strategic role of the media as both a watchdog and a partner in promoting national security and sustainable growth.

In his words, "Today marks another significant milestone in the history of CONMMEP as we celebrate five years of growth, resilience, progress, and impactful contributions to the Nigerian maritime industry. Since our establishment in 2021, we have steadily built a vibrant and respected professional body dedicated to promoting excellence in maritime journalism and fostering constructive engagement within the sector".

Looking into the future of CONMMEP, the President said, “While we reflect on our accomplishments, we must also recognize the lessons learned from our challenges,  these lessons will strengthen our resolve as we build a more formidable, influential and prosperous association.

Delivering a keynote lecture titled, ” Maritime Security, Trade facilitation and the Media : The role of the Media in curbing smuggling in Nigeria’s maritime corridor,”  the head of Research,  Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) and a former President of NAGAFF,  Chief Dr. Eugene Nweke RFF,  noted that the fight against smuggling should no longer be viewed as the responsibility of enforcement agencies alone, he urged  maritime journalists, customs officials, security agencies and industry stakeholders to step up fight against Smuggling. He called on the media to become active partners in protecting Nigeria’s economy and national security through credible, evidence-based reporting.

He said that such criminal activities as Smuggling, revenue leakages, systemic weaknesses within the sector,  can only be exposed through conscious investigations beyond mere official statements.

Describing smuggling as one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s economic development and internal security, which has evolved beyond the illegal movement of prohibited goods to include sophisticated criminal activities such as arms trafficking, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, trade-based money laundering, fuel diversion, wildlife crimes and revenue evasion, the Keynote speaker noted that the consequences of smuggling extends beyond revenue losses, undermining local manufacturing through unfair competition, distorting national trade statistics, encouraging insecurity through the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, and exposing Nigerians to counterfeit medicines, substandard products and dangerous narcotics.

While urging maritime journalists to embrace investigative journalism as a preventive security tool rather than limiting coverage to press conferences, ceremonial events and official press releases, Nweke advised Maritime journalists to investigate customs revenue leakages, abuse of waivers, trade fraud, cargo misclassification and under-declaration, arguing that celebrating revenue collections alone was insufficient without scrutinising areas where government earnings are lost.

Advocating for continuous public enlightenment campaigns to educate Nigerians on economic and security implications of smuggling, Nweke affirmed  that an informed society is less susceptible to recruitment by criminal organisations, he  warned of heightened risks associated with the movement of illicit arms, hard drugs, politically motivated contraband and illegal financial flows, he called on the media to remain objective and place national security above political interests.

The Association used the occasion to honour five distinguished Customs personalities with the CONMMEP Leadership Excellence Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development, leadership and service to humanity.

Among those honoured are  ACG Shuaibu Ahmadu Bello (Rtd), Compt. Aliyu of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Afeni of Idiroko Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Moses Adewole of the Oyo/Osun Command and Chief Superintendent of Customs, CSC Oscar Ivara the Public Relations Officer TinCan Island Ports Command.