Mrs Ezinne Azunna, the Chief Executive Officer, Media Traction, producer of Maritime TV on Wednesday announced plans to train 50 women in writing maritime themed children storybooks.

Azunna in a statement in Lagos said the effort was also to mark the 2021 International Women’s Day.

“This pioneer edition of `The Maritime Writes Project’ will empower the participants by ensuring that the 10 best children stories by the participants are published,’’ she said.

She said that besides the empowerment of females, early exposure to maritime themed books could influence the career choices children make later on in life.

“Aside from the fact that the first black man to win the Nobe Laureate in Literature is a Nigerian, the country has in the last 70 years constantly produced world-class authors who have distinguished themselves in the art of storytelling.

“Despite this prowess in literature, less than one per cent of children’s storybooks written in Nigeria are imbued with maritime and marine themes.

“Through early exposure to reading, the Nigerian child unconsciously nurses career dreams as a result of the availability of many works of literature.

“Often, due to the dearth of literature on maritime and marine themes, they find it difficult at early childhood to dream of a career in the maritime sector.

“They most times through other circumstances gain knowledge of industry careers later on in life.

“Unfortunately, this comes too late as the child may have decided on a career path.

“The lack of early exposure to maritime careers contributes in no small way to the dearth of professionals in the maritime industry,” she said.

The CEO, who doubles as the Project Coordinator said the competition and training was open to women who are 18years and above and interested in honing their story writing skills as well as in getting them published.

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Azunna said participants would be trained by a faculty of renowned professionals and would have the opportunity of interacting with captains of industry and touring the sector.

“Winners will have their works publicly read by industry leaders and win prizes.

“Women should indicate interest by sending an email to themaritimewritesproject@gmail.com with a children’s story of not more than 250 words attached.

“Entry fee of N10, 000 is required from participants. All stories should be submitted by May 7,” she said.