By Anthony Nwachukwu
A coalition of Nigerian maritime journalists has announced a courtesy visit to the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, by the third week of January 2026.
Aimed at formally appreciating Oyebamiji, who is now the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, for his remarkable support to the maritime media during his tenure as NIWA managing director, the coalition will also use the visit to congratulate and wish him well on his recent political nomination.
The coalition described the planned visit as both a gesture of gratitude and a reaffirmation of the vital partnership between public office holders and the media in promoting transparency, development and informed governance, according to a statement by the coalition spokesman, Joshua Yousouph.
According to the coalition, the visit will also serve as an opportunity to present a formal letter nominating Oyebamiji for the award of Most Media-Friendly CEO, in recognition of his consistent openness, accessibility and commitment to strengthening media engagement within the maritime sector. Discussions will also cover a mutually convenient date for the conferment of the award.
The coalition noted that Oyebamiji’s three-year tenure at NIWA marked a significant departure from routine media relations, as he deliberately encouraged journalists to go beyond desk reporting.
The newsmen noted his consistent support for field coverage, which enabled maritime reporters to visit project sites, waterways, jetties and operational areas to gain first-hand understanding of industry issues.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, senior maritime journalist, Frank Meke, stated that Oyebamiji “believed that informed reporting comes from direct exposure,” adding that his administration ensured that journalists were not confined to press statements but were actively exposed to real-time developments across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The coalition further recalled Oyebamiji’s vision to include expanding the maritime media’s exposure by facilitating visits to coastal states across the country, designed to equip newsmen with practical insights that would enable them offer informed analysis and constructive advisory input to government and industry stakeholders.
Meanwhile, some maritime journalists, including Tola Adenubi, Innocent Orok and Yusuf Babalola, recalled Oyebamiji’s assurances that his cordial relationship with the maritime media would be sustained if elected governor of Osun State.
According to them, his recognition of Osun State as the custodial home of the globally celebrated Osun Festival and the Osun River underscores the continued relevance of environmental, cultural and waterways-related reporting in the state.
Meke stated that Oyebamiji “understands the strategic role of the media, especially the maritime press, in shaping public understanding and policy direction. He has assured us that the same openness, respect and encouragement we enjoyed at NIWA will continue.”
