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High Demand For Seafood Globally Responsible For Illegal, Unregulated Fishing – U.S.—-The United States says the global high demand for seafood is responsible for illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing.

Jennifer Littlejohn, U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), said this during a digital news conference.

She was speaking on efforts by the U.S.  to curb environmental challenges in Africa, on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, ahead of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) slated for Nairobi, Kenya.

Fielding questions from the online participants, including the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), she explained that illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing (IUU), has had the greatest impact on marine biodiversity in the past 50 years. 

According to her, the global surge in fish demand has also increased pressure on fish stocks from fleets globally, both on the high seas and in areas under national jurisdiction, with negative environmental consequences.

She said: “As it (demand) continues to grow, there are more and bigger fishing vessels than ever before working to feed this market.  And of course, we know that the lucrative but competitive global fisheries market also spurs vessels to try to avoid the operational costs associated with sustainable fisheries management by engaging again in IUU fishing.  

“The 2019 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity Ecosystem Services – report on global biodiversity concluded that fishing has had the greatest impact on marine biodiversity in the past 50 years, which is exacerbated by IUU fishing. 

“So IUU fishing can result in overfishing, which damages ocean biodiversity, and additionally, the use of prohibited gear can result in bycatch of non-target species, causing yet even greater harm to biodiversity.”

She said that IUU fishing may also degrade marine ecosystems, such as corals and sea mounds with negative consequences for the marine species that depend on these habitats. 

Littlejohn said IUU fishing costs the world tens of billions of dollars annually, with a recent UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report indicating that this may represent 26 million tons of fish caught annually. 

The diplomat said the U.S. seafood imports alone was worth about two and a half billion US dollars a year, with nearly 11 per cent of the U.S. market derived from IUU fishing. 

“Now, as both a major harvester and a top market for fishing products, the United States has, I would say, long emphasized working with other countries to improve fisheries governance and enforcement to prevent IUU-sourced fish and fish products from entering our markets, and I know that that is the same for markets around the globe.  

“So speaking from the U.S. perspective, the United States is a leader in promoting sustainable fisheries internationally through effective, science-based fisheries management and cooperative tools to combat IUU fishing, including strong monitoring, control, and surveillance measures.  

“Now, the United States promotes the implementation of the Port State Measures Agreement, a groundbreaking treaty designed to ensure catches from IUU fishing vessels cannot be offloaded in ports and then, of course, enter the global market,” she said.

Littlejohn said that the U.S. also helped launch, through the FAO, the Global Record of Fishing Vessels – it’s Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels, as part of the measures to curb the menace of illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing. 

“This innovative, publicly accessible record of the world’s fishing vessels increases transparency in international fisheries and enhances the ability of countries and markets to verify fishing’s identity,” she added.

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Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit (IAC) 4.0 set to ignite transformational dialogue on May 3, 2026

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Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit (IAC) 4.0

Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit (IAC) 4.0 set to ignite transformational dialogue on May 3, 2026

 

The fourth edition of the Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit is set to take center stage on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. Building on the growing momentum of previous editions, this year’s summit signals a deliberate and powerful shift from inspiration to activation with a structured intervention aimed at reshaping how individuals navigate identity, adversity, and personal growth in an increasingly demanding world.

 

Accordingly, IAC 4.0 is positioned as a catalytic platform designed to challenge existing narratives, provoke deeper thinking, and ultimately drive a new paradigm across leadership, personal development, and the broader communications ecosystem.

 

Convened by renowned marketing and communications leader, Omotola Bamigbaiye, the Imperfectly Awesome movement has steadily evolved from a deeply personal literary expression into a dynamic, living experience. Initially birthed through her book, Imperfectly Awesome, the initiative has, over time, transformed into an influential annual convergence where authenticity takes precedence and real-life journeys redefine success.

 

By centering the message of “being enough,” the summit challenges limiting narratives that hinder innovation, leadership, and inclusive progress. The summit will deliver two high-impact panel sessions:

  • Resilience & Tenacity — examining how individuals and organizations can sustain performance and purpose amid disruption
  • Authenticity: Embracing Your Whole Self — exploring the role of self-awareness and identity in effective leadership and lived experience

Additionally, a maiden edition of IAC awards to recognize and spotlight individuals and organizations whose journeys exemplify courage, consistency, and meaningful societal impact.

As anticipation intensifies, attention increasingly turns to the calibre of speakers confirmed for this year’s edition, these are individuals whose personal and professional trajectories reflect resilience, leadership, and transformative impact.

Leading the conversation will be Dr Segun Ogunsanya , Chairman Airtel Africa Foundation and  Mrs Godrey Ogbechie, Group Executive Director, Rain Oil Limited.  Additionally, Hon Mojisola Meranda, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Moremi Ojudu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-West), O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement and New Media,  Dr Folayinka Dania, Chief Resilience Officer for Lagos State and CEO of the Lagos State Resilience Office, Princess Sarah Sosan, Former Deputy Governor of Lagos Sate and others whose presence is expected to bring strong perspectives on governance, inclusion, and purposeful leadership. Furthermore, panelists will offer critical insights into grassroots connection, deepen discussions around adaptability, systems thinking, sustainable leadership in uncertain environments. Citizen engagement, and the power of community-driven change.

Collectively, these speakers will not only share success stories; rather, they will unpack the realities behind those successes, moments of doubt, setbacks, recalibration, and eventual triumph. Consequently, attendees will engage with narratives that are honest, unfiltered, and deeply human, thereby reinforcing the summit’s core philosophy, which is, that imperfection, when embraced, becomes a powerful driver of growth.

Moreover, the 2026 edition introduces a sharpened thematic focus centred on courage over comfort, consistency over perfection, and action over Fear. Through this lens, the summit will actively encourage participants to move beyond passive inspiration and instead adopt deliberate, actionable mindsets capable of reshaping both personal and professional trajectories.

Attendance remains open to the public and notably, participation is free.

Interested individuals are encouraged to register via the official links:

[https://luma.com/5r5s19u9](https://luma.com/5r5s19u9)

About Imperfectly Awesome Conversations

Imperfectly Awesome Conversations is a purpose-driven platform inspired by Dr. Omotola Bamigbaiye’s work and philosophy. It is dedicated to fostering authenticity, resilience, and personal transformation by creating spaces where people can share their journeys, embrace their stories, and realize their inherent worth.

IAC 4.0 is deliberately designed to:

  • Amplify underrepresented voices and lived experiences often excluded from mainstream narratives
  • Promote practical inclusion as an everyday responsibility across workplaces and communities
  • Advance mental well-being conversations by normalizing vulnerability and self-acceptance
  • Encourage actionable change, equipping attendees to translate insights into personal and professional impact

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

Alpha Morgan Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to education and institutional development through its support for the commissioning of the Redeemer’s University Business School.

 

The Business School was officially inaugurated by Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, at the commissioning ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Her Excellency, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Redeemers University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele; and other notable dignitaries.

 

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank reiterated the  Bank’s commitment to supporting institutions that drive intellectual growth and national development.

 

As part of its broader focus on knowledge sharing and thought leadership, Alpha Morgan Bank will host its Economic Review Webinar in May 2026, bringing together experts to share insights on key economic trends and opportunities.

 

The Bank’s involvement reflects its continued dedication to empowering institutions and shaping the future of business and leadership in Nigeria.

 

 

Read more about Alpha Morgan Bank on www.alphamorganbank.com 

 

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