Godfrey Bivbere wins Best Maritime Reporter of the Year

Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, immediate past President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), has been decorated as Best Maritime Reporter of the Year.

Polling 42% of the 2,403 votes cast, Bivbere outpaced Oluwakemi Dauda (31.1%) and Shulammite Olowofoyeku (26.9%), securing the coveted award that recognizes journalistic excellence and dedication to maritime reporting.

The honour was bestowed on Godfrey Bivbere at the 2026 MIMA Investiture ceremony held March 30 in Lagos recently.

In his acceptance remarks, Bivbere expressed gratitude to the organizers, Maritime Media Ltd, publishers of Shipping World Magazine, for sustaining the awards as a platform to celebrate professionalism.

“This award is a validation of years of hard work, sleepless nights, and dedication to telling the maritime story. Journalism in this sector is not just about reporting events; it is about shaping policy, holding stakeholders accountable, and ensuring that the industry remains on the path of growth,” Bivbere said.

Bivbere has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected maritime journalists, with decades of reporting on port reforms, shipping policies, and industry challenges. As MARAN’s immediate past president, he championed the professionalization of maritime reporting, insisting that journalists must go beyond surface-level coverage to interrogate policies and provide informed analysis.

“The media must continue to shine the light on both the successes and the shortcomings of the industry. Only then can we build a maritime sector that is globally competitive,” Bivbere said.