The 2025 Presidential Dinner for NIPSS Senior Executive Course 47 was a remarkable convergence of strategic insight, national reflection, and forward-looking vision. Distinguished leaders, including Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, AANI President, and Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, NDLEA Chairman, presented compelling perspectives on national development and the future of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Ambassador Okafor set the tone by celebrating the graduands’ accomplishments and emphasizing their role in shaping Nigeria’s policy landscape. He highlighted the importance of the Blue Economy as a tool for prosperity, coastal security, job creation, and global competitiveness. He encouraged the new alumni to uphold professionalism, integrity, and patriotism as they re-enter service across sectors such as the armed forces, public administration, academia, and the private sector.
He also referenced the president’s directive issued earlier in the day, calling for NIPSS and AANI to develop actionable strategies to address insecurity. He assured that AANI would pursue this mandate with renewed focus, leveraging its diverse membership and expertise.
In his special address, Gen. Marwa drew attention to a critical but often overlooked factor threatening Nigeria’s Blue Economy: the narcotics trade. He explained how drug cartels infiltrate maritime transport systems, corrupt port officials, exploit shipping routes, and sabotage the livelihoods of coastal communities. He warned that drug-related activities damage ecosystems and weaken national institutions.
His message was direct. To protect Nigeria’s Blue Economy, the nation must secure its waters from the grip of drug trafficking.
The dinner concluded with a strong sense of shared purpose. The graduands were reminded that their research and leadership skills are vital to shaping policies that defend Nigeria’s waters, strengthen national security, and unlock sustainable prosperity.
