Odita Sunday 
Peterside to interrogate media’s role in Nigeria’s trillion-dollar economy quest
By Odita Sunday
Former Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, is set to interrogate the role of the media in Nigeria’s quest to build a trillion-dollar economy at the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council Annual Lecture.
Chairman of the Press Week Committee, Adewale Akodu, disclosed this in a statement announcing the activities lined up for the council’s 2026 Press Week.
According to Akodu, Peterside, a leadership architect, management turnaround expert and prominent voice on the blue economy and public policy, will speak on the theme, “Politics, Ports and the Public Interest: The Media’s Catalytic Role in Driving Economic Growth.”
Akodu said the lecture would examine the relationship between politics, ports and the media, particularly the strategic role of the maritime sector as a gateway to economic growth and the capacity of the media to influence national development.
He said Peterside would also challenge stakeholders to consider whether the Nigerian media could play a catalytic role in propelling the country towards a trillion-dollar economy.
Akodu described Peterside’s experience in leadership, governance, public policy and organisational transformation as an important contribution to the national conversation, adding that the former NIMASA boss would lead other speakers during the Press Week.
The 2026 NUJ Lagos State Council Press Week is scheduled to hold from Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Akodu said the annual lecture would take place at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, at the Radio Lagos/Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, LTV Complex, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said other activities would include the Chapel Rendezvous on Thursday, October 1, at 4:00 p.m. within the LTV premises; Juma’at Service on Friday, October 2, at 1:00 p.m. at the Lagos State Secretariat Mosque, CBD, Alausa, Ikeja; and the Gala and Awards Night later that day at 4:00 p.m. at the BOS Hall, LTV Complex.
Akodu added that the Press Week would end with a Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, October 4, from 10:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Christ the Light (Interdenominational), CBD, Alausa, Ikeja.
He called on journalists across Lagos State to participate actively in the activities, saying the Press Week would provide an opportunity for media practitioners to network, exchange ideas, strengthen professional relationships and celebrate the contributions of journalists to society.
Akodu said the 2026 Press Week was expected to bring together media professionals and stakeholders to celebrate shared values, promote unity and renew commitment to responsible and professional journalism.
About the Author
