
The Mission to Seafarers Lagos has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Law Association. This was the outcome of a recent courtesy call on 3 March 2022, led by the Mission’s Chairman, Chief Bayo Sarumi OFR, to the Association. The President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Mrs. Funke Agbor SAN stated that the NMLA would initiate structures with the Mission that would enable Seafarers have access to the best legal representation available.
In his presentation at the multimodal meeting, Chief Sarumi had stated that hapless Seafarers were often collateral damage when admiralty disputes and maritime conflicts arose. He added that visiting Seafarers in particular, had been known to be abandoned by either shipowners or chatterers and left to languish in jail for years, with no means of legal refrain. The Mission lauded the Association’s recent successes including invocation of the anti-Piracy act as well as securing the first convictions under the Act. Concerns of Piracy ranked highly in the basket of emotional and psychological turmoil faced by Seafarers.

The meeting also agreed to jointly share, as much as was legally permitted, information relating to Seafarers in dire straits. It would also look at manners in which pending Seafarers cases in Nigeria could be aggregated and addressed.
The epoch-making meeting was also attended by the Association’s top executive team including Mr. Olumide Sofowora Esq SAN, the Association’s 2nd Vice President, Honorary Secretary Dr. Emeka Akabogu, its Treasurer, Mrs. Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, Financial Secretary, Mrs. Seyi Adejuyigbe as well as Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere and Mr. Bello Gwandu in Ex-officio capacity.
In addition to its Chairman, the Mission to Seafarers Lagos was represented by its Chaplain, Canon Francis Aduroja, Honorary Secretary, Ms. Funmi Folorunso and Executive Committee members, Engr. Phillip Atitebi and Mr. Dotun Makinwa.
The Mission to Seafarers Lagos is an arm of the Mission to Seafarers UK, a 186-year-old global enterprise with over 220 outlets worldwide. In 2019, the Nigerian outpost was ceded to the Anglican Diocese of Lagos to enable the Mission better achieve its goal of providing optimal pastoral care for the Seafarer. It has since then engaged with key members of the maritime sector, including Shipowners, Terminal Operators, State Actors, State Governments and members of the Diplomatic Corps through seminars, symposiums, advocacy channels and regular ship visits.