MARCON 2026: Fubara, NEPZA, OGFZA bosses for top honours in Rivers

Stanley Ihedigbo

Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has concluded plans to honour the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, alongside top industry leaders at its 2026 Annual Conference scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt.

Also billed for recognition are the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Olufemi Ogunyemi, and the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Usman Bamanga Jada.

The conference, slated for June 10, 2026, at Hotel Presidential, is expected to convene key stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime, trade, and industrial sectors.

It will focus on the theme: “Special Economic Zones as Catalysts to Sustainable Blue Economy.”

Governor Fubara, who will attend as Special Guest of Honour, is expected to declare the conference open.

He will also be conferred with the MARCON Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of the blue economy and the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Rivers State.

MARCON noted that Rivers State remains a strategic hub in Nigeria’s maritime and economic ecosystem, hosting major players within the SEZ framework, including regulatory institutions and private sector operators.

The state’s growing influence in industrial expansion, trade facilitation, and logistics development continues to reinforce its position in Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.

In the same vein, Ogunyemi will receive the MARCON Award of Excellence for Economic Development, reflecting his leadership at NEPZA, where he has spearheaded reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones framework.

Under his stewardship, the zones have witnessed increased investment inflows, improved ease of doing business, and expanded roles in export promotion and industrialisation.

Similarly, Bamanga Jada will be honoured with the Award of Excellence for Economic Development for his impactful leadership at OGFZA.

The authority has recorded notable progress through infrastructure expansion, increased investments, and strategic initiatives designed to position oil and gas free zones as key drivers of economic growth and employment generation.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the event is designed to deepen engagement on the role of SEZs in achieving sustainable economic growth.

According to him, the conference will provide a platform for policymakers, regulators, and private sector stakeholders to explore opportunities, address challenges, and chart a forward path for Nigeria’s SEZs and blue economy sectors.

“This year’s conference is particularly significant as it highlights the intersection between Special Economic Zones and the blue economy, both of which are critical to Nigeria’s long-term economic sustainability,” he said.

Ogbuokiri added that the awards segment is intended to recognise individuals whose contributions have delivered measurable impact on national development, investment growth, and sectoral transformation.

On his part, MARCON President, Ismail Aniemu, underscored the importance of aligning SEZ development with Nigeria’s broader blue economy agenda.

He noted that the conference comes at a crucial time when the country is exploring sustainable pathways for economic diversification, adding that MARCON remains committed to promoting informed discourse and policy advocacy within the maritime sector.

Aniemu further stated that beyond celebrating achievements, the conference will generate actionable insights to strengthen collaboration between the government and the private sector.

The organisation added that other individuals and institutions that have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic development, particularly within the maritime and industrial sectors, will also be recognised at the event.