– Urges journalists to lead blue economy awakening
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria is a “sea-blind nation” and Rivers State risks squandering its coastal advantage if it fails to develop a coherent blue economy strategy, maritime expert and Founder, Blue Economy Academy, Mr Ubong Essien, has warned.
Delivering a keynote address virtually at the ongoing 2025 Correspondents’ Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Rivers State Council, Essien issued a scathing critique of the state’s failure to harness its maritime potential, calling for urgent action and journalist-led advocacy to reverse decades of neglect.
“You can’t live next to the Atlantic and remain indifferent to it. You can’t report from Port Harcourt and act like you’re inland. You can’t be coastal and clueless,” Essien said in his address themed “Blue Economy – Starting Steps 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 Western Africa.
Nigeria is a country unaware of its coastal potential. Our fixation on oil has prevented us from seeing an even more substantial resource: the Blue Economy.
Pointing out a significant decrease in U.S. crude imports from Nigeria—from almost one million barrels daily down to merely 5,000 barrels each day by 2020—Essien highlighted that these economic red flags had been evident yet overlooked.
He stated that moment should have served as our alarm to branch out, but instead, we hit the snooze button.
Shifting focus to Rivers State, Essien stated that the state needs to move away from its passive stance and take charge of maritime growth, emphasizing that its geographical position presents not only potential but also 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, if the media doesn’t step up, these prospects may drift away," he stated, urging journalists in the region to transform their roles from mere reporters to "guardians 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 sea," Essien stated.
He pointed out that the Blue Economy overlaps with all areas of journalism coverage: pollution relates to public health stories, port congestion ties into economic issues, maritime insecurity concerns national security matters, and coastal erosion falls under discussions about climate change.
"Covering oceans isn’t just a specialty; it’s essential," he stated, urging for a reconsideration of how we perceive and report on riverside regions.
“The phrase ‘riverine areas’ has become a synonym for poverty and neglect, instead of opportunity and investment. We must reprogram our perception,” Essien stressed.
Essien urged journalists within the state to embrace "Ocean Journalism," emphasizing that the media should not only cover news but also work towards reviving public understanding of the sea’s untapped possibilities.
“Every journalist in Rivers State worth his or her salt—no ocean pun intended—must carry two beats, and one of them must be the ocean. Pollution is a health story. Port congestion is an economic story. Artisanal fishing is a livelihood story. Coastal erosion is a climate story. The ocean runs through every other beat.”
The former Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications to the Director General of NIMASA laid out a five-point blueprint for Rivers State to embrace the blue economy. These include a state-wide ocean literacy policy, coastal infrastructure upgrades, empowering riverine communities, youth upskilling, and media-led public enlightenment.
He emphasized the critical role of journalists in shaping the future, stating: “You are not bystanders. You are the bridge between strategy and society. You are the Fourth C in the 4 Cs of maritime progress—Collaboration, Cooperation, Coordination, and Communication.”
Linking the blue economy to journalist welfare, Essien argued that this emerging sector presents fresh storytelling opportunities and income streams. “There is a role for maritime journalists, port correspondents, blue economy writers, ocean climate reporters, and sustainability media professionals,” he said. “Journalists can monetize expertise, provide consultancy, build niche brands, and diversify income.”
He cautioned that the primary obstacle to advancement isn’t insufficient resources but rather a deficiency in imagination. "What matters most for Rivers State is declaring total combat against its foremost domestic adversary: maritime myopia," Essien stated. "This condition refers to failing to recognize the economic value, ecological influence, innovative possibilities, and workforce opportunities presented by the sea."
He additionally urged for a change in how riverine communities are perceived, frequently regarded as peripheral. "Being riverside shouldn’t be seen as a drawback; instead, it ought to serve as a strategic label—prompting investment, empowerment, development, and prioritization."
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 starting point. Use this moment to mark the end of sea blindness and the dawn of sea boldness. The ocean should no longer be seen as mere scenery but as central to our strategic thinking.
