An umbrella body of maritime journalists, otherwise known as Coalition of Maritime Journalists Associations of Nigeria (COMJAN), has elected a new Executive, while ratifying legal instruments setting up the association.
Prof. Amb. Ralph John
The body, which emerged from the coalition of maritime media associations, on Saturday, February 21st, 2026 elected an initial Nine-man Executive to run the affairs of the Coalition for a period of one year.
Ably led by a maritime media veteran, Prof. Ralph John as President, other elected Executive members of the Coalition include: Mr. Macdonald Aguibo (Vice President), Chief Titus Eze (Secretary), Deacon Golden Enyi Onyema (Assistant Secretary), Comrade Blaise Tochukwu Elumezie (Financial Secretary), Pastor Ifeanyi Nwaoha (Treasurer), Mr. Kelechi Nwaucha (Public Relations Officer), Mrs. Florence Pere (Welfare Officer) and Comrade Jude Nzennaya as the (Provost).
Speaking in an interview shortly after the end of the Single Window Town Hall Meeting with Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and other critical stakeholders in the maritime industry; the President of COMJAN , Prof. John, opined that setting up of the association was necessitated by the desire for natural steps to enhance the development of maritime journalism and the maritime sector as a whole in the Eastern and Southern Zones of the country.
The Newly Inaugurated Exco Of COMJAN
Prof John, who spoke against the backdrop of the National Single Window (NSW) Town Hall Meeting held in PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, emphasised that COMJAN caters for the media and communication needs of stakeholders in the maritime industry.
According to him: “The new Executive has just come up, and it is to harmonize our activities as maritime journalists. For instance, this National Single Window. We are to disseminate this information through write-ups on it, and as well, educate the people, especially the stakeholders.” Prof. John stated.
Expressing belief that the National Single Window (NSW) will simplify operations in the sector, John noted that: “COMJAN will impact the maritime industry positively. The association’s aims and objectives are to impact, and disseminate information that emanates from the maritime sector. And this is one of them.
“So, when it gets the nitty-gritty of this and disseminate it, those who were not here today will read and queue into this system,” he said.
Responding, COMJAN Vice President, Mr. Aguigbo, said: “This association is here to stay and to do all that is needed for the industry to continue to grow.
“We will work for the improvement of the maritime industry, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the industry at large.
“We urge them to be patient, and partner with the association in the importanttask of developing the maritime industry,”he said.
Mr. Aguigbo further urged his colleagues to adopt the mindset that is necessary for the association to achieve its set goals, while calling for respect to constituted authorities among.industry players.
