Lagos: , The Naval Dockyard and The Maritime Writes Project (MWP) have partnered to launch a creative writing bootcamp focused on the Blue Economy to promote the maritime sector.
Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu, the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard, announced the kick-off of the programme in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday Mr Ezinne Azunna, the Project Coordinator for MWP, in Lagos on Wednesday.
According to Azunna, 60 participants have been selected for the bootcamp which will train aspiring writers on topics related to the marine and blue economy.
The training will be divided into two categories: a junior category for children aged 7 to 13, and a senior category for ages 14 to 60.
The bootcamp will feature an opening ceremony attended by key industry stakeholders.
Participants will also get a firsthand look at the maritime sector through a tour of the Naval Dockyard and a naval ship, an experience designed to immerse them in the subject and inspire their writing.
The theme of the programme, “Blue Odyssey: Securing Nigeria’s EEZ, Ports and Blue Economy – Stories of Sea Guardians, Trade Routes, and Coastal Adventures,” will provide participants with direct interaction with naval captains, a merchant vessel captain, a ship designer, and other experts.
Azunna detailed the bootcamp’s schedule, which includes separate creative writing sessions for junior and senior participants, as well as the maritime tours.
The programme will draw on mentors and faculty from reputable organisations such as the Western Naval Command, International Ocean Institute, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, and the United Nations Blue Schools Network, among others.
The programme will include children from public schools and the coastal community, Makoko.
The initiative builds on the success of a previous edition, which resulted in the publication of three books of short stories written by participants.
The books are titled Three Dreams & a Beach and other Maritime Short Stories, The Surfer in Me and other Maritime Short Stories, and The Water Guard and other Maritime Stories.