— Encourages reporters to spearhead the Blue Economy revolution

Mkpoikana Udoma

Port Harcourt — Nigeria is considered "seas blind," and if Rivers State does not create a well-defined blue economy plan, it might miss out on leveraging its coastal benefits, warns maritime specialist and founder of the Blue Economy Academy, Mr. Ubong Essien.

During his virtual keynote speech at the 2025 Correspondents' Week organized by the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Essien sharply criticized the region’s inability to capitalize on its maritime resources. He urged immediate steps and journalistic efforts to address years of oversight and underutilization.

You cannot reside beside the Atlantic and stay unaffected by it. Reporting from Port Harcourt without acknowledging your proximity to the coast is impractical. Being coastal and unaware is not an option," Essien stated during his speech titled "Blue Economy – Initial Measures for Rivers State.

He characterized Nigeria’s lack of progress in harnessing its ocean resources as "sea forgetfulness," even though the nation boasts an 853 km coastline, abundant marine life, and a crucial strategic location in West Africa.

Nigeria is a country oblivious to the sea. Our fixation on oil has prevented us from recognizing an even more substantial asset: the Blue Economy.

Essien pointed out that the significant decline in U.S. crude imports from Nigeria—from almost one million barrels daily down to merely 5,000 barrels each day by 2020—served as an evident economic red flag that was overlooked.

He stated that moment should have served as our cue to branch out, yet we opted to hit the snooze button instead.

Focusing on Rivers State, Essien emphasized that the state needs to move away from its passive stance and take charge of maritime growth, highlighting that its geographical position presents both an advantage and a duty.

Rivers State could serve as Nigeria’s hub for the Blue Economy, hosting ports, pipelines, mangrove forests, fishing industries, and innovative ventures. However, without the media taking an active role, these prospects may drift away," he stated, urging journalists in the region to redefine their roles beyond mere reporting to becoming "pioneers of public consciousness.

"Each journalist in Rivers State who is competent — I'm not joking about the ocean reference — should cover at least two areas, with one being related to the ocean," Essien stated.

He pointed out that the Blue Economy connects with all areas of journalism: pollution relates to public health, port congestion ties into economics, maritime insecurity concerns national security, and coastal erosion highlights the climate emergency.

"Covering oceans isn’t just a specialty; it’s essential," he stated, urging for a new perspective on how we perceive and report on rivers.

"The term 'riverine areas' has come to symbolize poverty and disregard rather than potential and development. We need to reshape our perspective," Essien emphasized.

Essien urged journalists within the state to embrace "Ocean Journalism," emphasizing that their role should extend beyond mere reporting; they must also work towards revitalizing public understanding of the sea’s capabilities.

Each journalist in Rivers State who is competent—in this case, not making waves about the sea unintentionally—needs to cover two areas, with at least one being related to the ocean. Water pollution represents a public health issue. Port gridlock signifies an economic concern. Small-scale fishing highlights issues around sustaining livelihoods. Shoreline retreat illustrates broader climatic changes. Essentially, the ocean threads through all other reporting domains.

The previous Strategic Communication Advisor to the Director-General of NIMASA presented a five-point plan for Rivers State to adopt the blue economy concept. The proposals encompass statewide ocean education policies, improvements in coastal infrastructure, support for riverside communities, skills development for young people, and awareness campaigns through media engagement.

He highlighted the essential part played by journalists in molding the future, saying: "You aren't observers. You act as the link between strategy and community. You represent the fourth 'C' among the four Cs driving marine advancement—Collaboration, Cooperation, Coherence, and Communication."

Connecting the blue economy with journalist well-being, Essien posited that this burgeoning field offers new avenues for compelling stories and financial gains. "Maritime journalism, port reporting, blue economy writing, ocean climate coverage, and sustainable media practices all have significant roles," he stated. "Professionals in these areas can capitalize on their knowledge, offer consulting services, establish specialized brands, and expand their earnings."

He cautioned that the primary obstacle to advancement isn’t insufficient resources but rather a deficiency in imagination. "Rivers State needs to declare total combat against its foremost domestic adversary: maritime myopia," Essien stated. "This condition involves failing to recognize the economic value, ecological influence, innovative possibilities, and workforce advantages presented by the sea."

He similarly emphasized the need to change how riverine communities are viewed, frequently regarded as peripheral. "Being riverside shouldn’t be seen as a drawback; instead, it ought to serve as a strategic label—an indication to allocate resources, foster empowerment, promote development, and set priorities."

As a next step, Essien proposed the launch of a Blue Economy Media Forum in partnership with the Correspondents’ Chapel before the end of 2025, aimed at strengthening journalist involvement in ocean awareness and policy advocacy.

This isn’t merely a keynote; it’s a kickoff. May this instant mark the conclusion of sea blindness and the start of sea boldness. The ocean should no longer be seen as mere scenery but rather as a core strategic element.