A group, Mission to Seafarers, Lagos, on Wednesday applauded seafarers on their professionalism, commitment and dedication to duty.
Mr Adebayo Sarunmi, Chairman Mission to Seafarers, Lagos, said in a statement in Lagos that the applause was important as they celebrate the International Day of the Seafarers.
According to him, the year 2020 marks the 10th year of the institution of the Day of the Seafarer, which is celebrated every June 25.
“Although a landmark, the celebration is in itself a paradox.
“On the one hand it spotlights the laudable exploits of seafarers and their often understated contribution to everyday life, nation building and the global economy.
“It must however be noted that the decennial also underplays a much longer period of largely unacknowledged service borne by this nobel class.
“Today, the entire globe stops to pause, reflect and acknowledge the worth and sacrifice of the seafarers.
“This includes the perils and risks emanating from the yawning seas, the emotional turmoil of being estranged from loved ones and multiple institutional challenges faced by today’s seafarers.
“These form but part of the many reasons why we at the Mission to Seafarers Lagos, join multitudes of grateful beneficiaries in applauding their professionalism, their commitment and dedication to duty,” he said.
Sarunmi said that the mission stood with seafarers as partners to their progress and equally pledged the mission’s resources to charting a new course and facilitating a better experience for seafarers.
He noted that it was the mission’s resolve and surest conviction that better days lie ahead.
“Once again, we extend hearty congratulations to you all and wish you the best of God’s blessings,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year, the Day of the Seafarer campaign calls on member states to recognise seafarers as ‘Key Workers’ and to provide them with the support, assistance and travel options open to all key workers during the pandemic.
The 2020 Day of the Seafarer campaign pays tribute to seafarers, acknowledging their sacrifice and the issues they face, as many seafarers have been away from home for months and are unsure when they will be able to return home due to travel restrictions.
The campaign also seeks to raise awareness of the work achieved by seafarers in response to the pandemic and to thank them for their contribution.
