Top Maritime Women in Nigeria

Not for sale

SHIPS PORTS Special Edition to Commemorate World Maritime Day

September 2019

www.shipsandports.com.ng

“We Refused to Allow Ourselves to Fit Into a Box” Breaking the Bounds:

Top Maritime

Women in Nigeria

Enter Nigeria’s Female Crane Operators

When Womanhood and Duty Meet the Law

Not for sale

SHIPS PORTS Special Edition to Commemorate World Maritime Day

www.shipsandports.com.ng

September 2019

On the threshold of womentum

N

“We Refused to Allow Ourselves to Fit Into a Box” Breaking the Bounds:

Enter Nigeria’s Female Crane Operators

Top Maritime

Women in Nigeria

When Womanhood and Duty Meet the Law

PUBLISHER/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bolaji Akinola EDITOR Enyeribe Anyanwu ASSISTANT EDITOR Shulammite 'Foyeku CONTRIBUTORS Jite Eriabie Oluwatoyin Amao John Omoaka WEB MASTER Muyiwa Sonuyi ADMINISTRATION Eucharia Okoli Ige Oluwatosin Folasade Adedokun Aminat Kareem GRAPHICS Mosaku Oluwaseun ADVERTISING/SALES info@shipsandports.com.ng 0803 608 6731 0706 491 1051 All materials in this publication are copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Ships & Ports Communication Company.

igerian women have made great strides in the maritime sector but inequality remains a major issue. We believe that women in the sector today must be equal with their male colleagues. The equality in question is not just about the familiar rhetoric of representation for the sake of it or about striking a numerical balance. Creating balance in leadership roles and in the decision-making process is of utmost importance. Women deserve to become a strategic part of the maritime business.

A good way of accelerating the growth of the maritime sector is to turn the tide on gender imbalance. This is why we identify with the efforts of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in this regard. This special edition of Ships & Ports celebrates our maritime women – those who have shattered the proverbial glass ceiling and those who look forward to building enduring careers in their chosen fields of endeavour.

Today, four per cent of the maritime industry's sea-based workforce is female, while the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) estimates that women make up only two per cent of the world's maritime workforce. These uninspiring numbers will certainly not engender the type of egalitarian maritime society and accelerated economic growth we all desire.

IMO's theme for the 2019 World Maritime Day, “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”, is therefore timely and apposite.

We hope to see more women sitting at the table at the highest level of decision-making in private companies and government agencies. More than ever before, our women should be supported to break down stereotypes and push beyond cultural boundaries. We wish to see a greater presence of females at the highest level in port operation, ship owning, seafaring, maritime administration and regulation, bunker industry, ship chandling, freight forwarding, customs administration and many more.

Women momentum – womentum – is on the horizon and our female practitioners deserve all the support they can get.

Bolaji Akinola Publisher

©Ships & Ports Communication Company 2019

Ships & Ports | 03

Contents Special Edition to Commemorate World Maritime Day

September 2019

12 18

“I was determined to become an exceptional woman”

20

“We refused to allow ourselves to fit into a box”

26 Women Nutrition

10

Sea sickness: How to avoid and treat it

16

WACT: Attracting cargo to Onne Port through investment in cargo handling equipment

28

35

90 “I don't see how anybody can stop any woman from being who she wants to be”

96

86 Women Fitness

88

30

22

“I don't feel intimidated”

92

Nigeria’s renewed interest in IMO Council seat

Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi (sitting in the middle) and Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki (2nd right) anked by women in the maritime sector at a stakeholders interactive session in Lagos recently.

Sea sickness: How to avoid and treat it

S

easickness—just thinking of it is enough to make you feel squeamish. Fear of getting this type of motion sickness is probably the number one reason many vacationers who love to travel do not cruise. Seasickness (also called mal de mer) is the reaction of your body's inner ear balance system to the unfamiliar motion of the ship. The movement of the ship causes stress on the balancing portion of the brain.

Your brain sees things on the ship such as walls and furniture and instinctively knows from past e x p e r i e n c e t h a t t h ey a re supposed to be still.

However, since these items are actually moving with the sea and the ship, the inner ear gets stressed and confused and nausea sets in.

Seasickness often disappears within a few days, even without treatment. The brain finally adjusts to this new environment, and the sufferer gets his or her "sea legs."

One unfortunate aspect of long trans-ocean voyages is that it may take a while for you to adjust to being on land again. How horrible to think that about the time you recover from seasickness that "land sickness" sets in!

Who Gets Seasick Seasickness and motion sickness can affect anyone. Ninety percent of all people suffer from some type of motion sickness during their lifetimes. Even experienced cruisers who have sailed dozens of times can get seasick. They don't stop cruising, they just take precautions to lessen or prevent the seasickness.

sickness in cars, airplanes, or carnival rides may also be more s u s c e p t i bl e t o s e a s i c k n e s s .

However, the motion on different ships affects people differently.

Just because you get seasick in a small boat does not mean you will have problems on a large cruise ship.

Factors That Make It Worse

You can't catch seasickness. It is not a virus, although sometimes if people around you are sick, it makes you feel that way too! There a re t h re e m a i n s e a s i c k n e s s triggers that should be avoided during your first few hours on the cruise ship.

Seasickness is especially bad when no one else seems to be afflicted, and it certainly is not D o n o t g o b e l ow d e c k f o r limited to only wimps. Knowing extended time periods. Try to find that about half the astronauts take a window or porthole and keep motion sickness medication when your eyes gazing (but not fixed) on in space should make you feel a the horizon. little better.

Do not look through binoculars for long periods of time.

People who are prone to motion

Ships & Ports | 10

Seasickness: How to avoid and treat it

Do not stare at objects your brain will interpret as stable. Anything that involves staring at one point such as reading a book, doing detailed needlework, or even staring at a compass might bring on a bout of seasickness.

How to Avoid It Staying busy and keeping your mind occupied are the best ways to avoid seasickness. Try to stay on deck in the fresh air and focus on anything other than the moving ship. Take deep breaths and drink plenty of water. When on deck, facing forward (rather than to the side) seems to help most people.

Remember that you need to let your brain adjust to this new unstable environment by allowing the horizon to act as the true point of reference.

Although drinking plenty of water is important, you also need to keep something in your stomach (although spicy or fatty food is not recommended).

Lying down in a deck chair in the fresh air often helps many people; it's almost like you can sleep it off. Most modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers that eliminate much of the motion that causes seasickness. This is one time when bigger might be better—the larger the ship, the less it will rock. If you know you are prone to seasickness, try to

get a cabin on the outside (with a window), and midship and on a lower deck where there is less motion.

Cruising in relatively calm waters may also help those prone to seasickness. The Caribbean (except during hurricane season) is usually calm, as is the Inside Passage to Alaska. River cruises are also a good choice.

Remedies Seasickness is often easier to avoid than to cure.

Most remedies need to be taken a couple of hours before your cruise ship sails. Different treatments work better for different people, and you may need to try a few to determine which is best for you.

Remember to check with your doctor to make sure that any remedy does not conflict with medication you are currently taking—prescription or over-thecounter.

Medications Scopolamine patches, worn behind the ear like a tiny band-aid, are the most common prescription drugs for seasickness. Scopolamine also comes in pill form. The patches last up to three days, provide time-release doses of the drug, and are usually very effective for preventing nausea.

Culled from trip Savvy

Ships & Ports | 11

INTELS: Empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

T

he third of seven children, 19-year-old Glory Aberepikima has just been a c c e p t e d i n t o t h e Wo m e n E m p owe r m e n t P ro g ra m m e Scheme Synergy (WEPSS) at Onne, Rivers State. A native of Okirika, Glory has been unable to further her education since the completion of her West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

initiative of INTELS Niger ia Limited, WEPSS began in 2013, with the vision of empowering 5,000 community women over a 20-year period through training in fashion design and tailoring.

Aberepikima said, "My eldest sister f irst enrolled f or the programme in 2016. She is the only university graduate in the family but she was unable to get a job after graduation. Luckily for her, she did so well after the c o m p l e t i o n o f t h e t ra i n i n g programme, that she was given a sewing machine.With that, she has rented a shop and is now taking care of herself.

Since her father's death, the family has barely sustained itself with the m e a g re e a r n i n g s f ro m h e r mother's petty trading. However, things began to change for the family when WEPSS was i n t ro d u c e d i n t o t h e i r l ive s .

Already, Glory's two older sisters "The following year, my second are beneficiaries of WEPSS. An eldest sister also enrolled for the

programme and was shortlisted.

She too completed it successfully but did not win a sewing machine.

With the skill she has acquired though, she is working for another tailor and hopes to further her education with her earnings. I am the third person in my family to undergo this training and it means a lot to me that I scaled through the selection process.�

Aberepikima is one of the 125 yo u n g wo m e n o u t o f 7 0 0 applicants who were chosen for the training. Many like Aberepikima come from similar backgrounds; f inancially handicapped, yet with big dreams hoping for a stroke of luck that would change their fortunes.

A beneďŹ ciary of INTELS' Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy (WEPSS) at the Onne Free Zone, Rivers State.

Ships & Ports | 12

INTELS: Empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

One can imagine Aberepikima's happiness when she got the call that she had been shortlisted for the written test. She said, "When I saw the number of persons who came to write the test, I was worried.

My confidence grew though when I was called back for the interview. My mother and sisters really encouraged me to put in my best. My mother in particular was really excited for me. I want not only to acquire the tailoring skill, but also to win a sewing machine. It is very important to me that I do; if I can be self-employed, then perhaps I can make enough money with the skill I have learned and return to school.”

Imenifa Pepple is another young lady who found herself at home unable to proceed further than her secondary school education. With a retiree father and petty trader mother, Imenif a had to start fending for herself to support her family. In the one year she spent at home, she tried teaching and poultry farming. Unfortunately for her, most of the savings she invested into poultry farming was lost after the chickens were hit with a disease. So when she got the news about WEPSS training, she jumped at the chance –after all, she was at home, doing nothing.

She said, "I completed my secondary school education over a year ago. I could not go any further because the funds were simply not there. Instead of sitting idly at home, I worked at some jobs and tried several businesses.

When I discovered teaching wasn't for me, I went into poultry farming. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out well. Last month, a friend suggested I go for WEPSS training and I jumped at the opportunity.

One director would interview one girl. After a few weeks of waiting, I was finally called to come for the training. That I was among the selected candidates felt like an honour.

"Right now, I just want to go through the training before I make up my mind about my career path.

Although I would still like to further my education, I might switch over to tailoring and fashion design if the training goes well. What is uppermost in my mind is acquiring a skill that would be useful to me in the long run.”

It was Pepple's and Aberepikima's first day at the WEPSS Centre and like the other successful applicants, they were excited. Being the first day, the

Some beneficiaries of WEPSS instituted by oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative undergoing training at the multimillion dollars training centre at the Onne Free Zone, Rivers State.

"I got a call from a WEPSS staff and later received a text invitation for the test. On the day of the test, we all gathered at the gate, before being called into the canteen batch by batch for the test. We were then told we would get feedback for the next stage. I went back home that day. The following day, I was informed that I had passed the test. I felt lucky to be called for the second test because some ladies were unsuccessful.

After scaling through that, we were told we would be called upon for a one on one interview. For the interview we met with two Directors of the Centre.

girls would go through an orientation process which would entail filling personal data and bank information, taking blood pressure tests, getting their WEPSS identity card, selection of lockers, introduction to the trainers and sewing machines, getting their sewing aprons and name tags. Since the training is rigorous, the blood pressure test ensures that trainees are healthy and fit for the training. Trainees found to be afflicted with high Ships & Ports | 13

INTELS: Empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

L-R: The General Manager, Legal and Corporate Services of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Epelle; best graduating beneficiary of the first batch of 2019 INTELS Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy (WEPSS), Esther Osarodanwi; WEPSS Project Head, Nancy Freeborn; and Operational Risk Manager of INTELS, Cluadio Moruzzi, during the graduation 80 women beneficiaries of the first batch of 2019 INTELS Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy (WEPSS) at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, Rivers State, recently. blood pressure are informed and then monitored by WEPSS staff just to make sure they take good care of their health.

focus on the sewing machine prize. She stresses that acquiring the skill is much more important.

"It is so competitive that you have women who are skilled tailors actually applying for this training because they want to win a sewing machine. That is why there is a declaration form where you must s t a t e i f yo u h ave h a d p r i o r tailoring experience because an experienced tailor can certainly not be assessed with the same standard used for a lear ner.

A nyo n e wh o d e c l a re s f a l s e information in the form is in danger of losing her spot.

Held once every six months, the selection process begins with a written test, after which an oral interview is conducted.

Applicants who successfully scale through the oral interview are then penciled down f or the training. It is a competitive p ro c e s s b e c a u s e s o m a ny applicants vie for a few slots. The possibility of winning an electric industrial sewing machine also makes the training more attractive and sought after.

"We always make it clear to them at the start of the training that not However, former Head of the ever yone can win a sewing Centre, Abhina Ajamni, is quick to machine. It is only for the top 10 or caution the girls not to direct their 15 best girls and they must score

over 80 per cent to qualify for the prize. To also make learning more conducive, bank accounts are opened for reach trainee and a stipend paid into it monthly. This stipend takes care of their feeding during the training. The filling of the bank details is the most problematic session of the first day; most have WASCCE as their highest qualification," Ajamni said.

Other information required to be declared by the trainees include, enrolment into another academic or training programmes and if they are pregnant or not. Ajamni explains that declaring your enrolment in other academic pursuits will enable the center determine if trainees are able to commit themselves to the classes

Ships & Ports | 14

INTELS: Empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

for the four-month duration of the training. To ensure trainees were not motivated by the monthly stipend to apply for the programme, they were informed that missing five classes would disqualify them from going any further.

Ajamni added that there had been cases in the past where some pregnant women enrolled for the training and failed to disclose their condition. She said, "In the event that there is a complication with the pregnancy, some of these women have blamed it on the WEPSS. To avoid all that, we always encourage them to disclose pregnancy. Once we are aware of pregnant trainees, they are moved from the production to the support department. It is better to be safe than sorry because the sewing machine produces vibrations when in use. We cannot intentionally endanger a baby's life.�

Luckily for these girls some of whom come from as far as Port Harcourt to undergo this training, the WEPSS Centre provided two 66-seater buses to assist with the daily commute to Onne. This also ensures that they are seated and ready for classes which begin by 8.30am.

W E P S S H e a d o f H u m a n R e s o u rc e s a n d Administration, Dorcas Ekong, said, "Two buses leave every day from the WEPSS Centre to pick the girls. One is stationed at Onne junction for those who live at Port Harcourt while another is stationed at Ogubolo. The Port Harcourt bus usually takes off at 6.30am, while the Ogubolo bus takes off at 6.45am for the WEPSS centre.

may have even with their classmates, their trainers and the administration staff. The length of the feedback session is dependent on the trainees; there is no fixed time for the feedback session but it has to be concluded by 5pm. This is because the bus would leave the Centre at that time to take the girls back to the agreed destinations from which they were picked," Ekong added.

Intels' Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy is laudable, and commends itself to other organizations. It is a showpiece of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), because it said that the greatest investment is investment in human development.

"The areas of concern are not limited to their lectures alone. The trainees are encouraged to talk about problems they may have even with their classmates, their trainers and the administration staff. The length of the feedback session is dependent on the trainees; there is no fixed time for the feedback session but it has to be concluded by 5pm. This is because the bus would leave the Centre at that time to take the girls back to the agreed destinations from which they were picked," Ekong added.

Intels' Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy is laudable, and commends itself to other organizations. It is a showpiece of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), because it said that the greatest investment is investment in human development.

"By the time the girls get here, it is usually between 7.30am and 7.50am Classes start at 8.30am so they use the extra time to settle down and get their aprons on.�

The classes continue uninterrupted till 12pm when they break for one hour and t h e n re s u m e a t 1 p m . I n between lectures, the trainees are allowed a five-minute stretching exercise and this usually at 10am and 3pm.

Classes close for the day at 4pm after which the trainees a re a l l owe d a f e e d b a c k session with the project manager.

"The areas of concern are not limited to their lectures alone.

The trainees are encouraged to talk about problems they Ships & Ports | 15

How INTELS is empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

WACT: Attracting cargo to Onne Port through investment in cargo handling equipment

W

est Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Onne has positively impacted on trade and economic activity at Onne port, Rivers State, through its massive investment in cargo handling equipment thereby increasing the competitiveness of the port.

In response to increase in volume at the eastern ports occasioned by the recent diversion of cargoes because of the traffic gridlock experienced at the Lagos ports, WACT has positioned the Onne container terminal as a viable option for Nigerian shippers, especially those from the South- East, South- South, NorthEast and North -Central who had long sought for an alternative to the ports in Lagos.

WACT has proven to be one of the most efficient container terminals outside Lagos operating at par with its peers in Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports with over $14 million investment in the provision of cargo handling equipment so far this year.

In line with the company's commitment to be the best container terminal in West Africa, WACT has continued to invest in not just equipment but manpower and its processes. In addition to excellent hinterland connections to the rest of Nigeria, WACT offers excellent customer service with trained operators and superior e-

commerce capabilities.

Recently, WACT commissioned two giant mobile harbour cranes worth $10 million, making it one of the leading Nigerian port operators. These are in addition to 26 specialized terminal trucks, 18 reach stackers, 4 empty handlers and 9 forklifts, so far acquired.

These investments, industry stakeholders say, have brought about high level of efficiency at the facility with improved ship turnaround time and cargo delivery at the terminal.

Speaking at the commissioning of the cranes in Onne, Managing Director, WACT, Aamir Mirza, said the massive investment at the terminal has attracted 700 direct and 2,000 indirect employments for Nigerians, just as the company recorded tremendous growth of 17 percent in 2017, 21 percent growth in 2018, and already attained 20 percent growth so far this year. “Our vision is to make WACT the best performing container terminal in West Africa.

We believe this vision can be realized early enough if the government can support us to reduce the challenges of insecurity by ensuring the safety of vessels on our waters, and improve road connectivity, among others,� he said.

Mirza said the cranes would enable volume

Ships & Ports | 16

WACT: Attracting cargo to Onne port through investment in cargo handling equipment

growth resulting in increased productivity, reduced cargo dwell time, improved reliability in cargo delivery times; reduce the impact of crane break down/idle time on overall terminal operations and increase customers satisfaction and speedy cargo delivery.

and Technology, Abuja. The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA) also named WACT the winner of its Corporate Distinguished Service Award in 2015.

WACT is also planning to acquire a man-lifter used to repair mobile harbour cranes and 10 more trailers in response to the growing business and to ensure it remains the gate way to East Nigeria and beyond.

WACT, which commenced commercial operation in 2007, was one of the Greenfield terminals to be built in Nigeria under a public private partnership with the government in 2003.

Located in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone near Port Harcourt and with a capacity of 314,000 TEUs, 325 reefer plugs and berths with depth of up to 12 meters, WACT is the most efficient gateway to most markets outside the Lagos area.

In 2016, WACT was named Nigeria's Best Container Handling and Port Development Company at the African Governance and Corporate Leadership Award organized by the Institute for Government, Research, Leadership

L-R: The Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller General Francis Enwereuzor; Managing Director, Oil & Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Umana Okon Umana; Managing Director, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), Mr. Aamir Mirza; the Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers' Council, Mr. Hassan Bello; and the Port Manager, Onne Port, Mr. Al-Hassan Ismaila; during the commissioning of two new Mobile Harbour Cranes acquired by WACT to boost operation at the Onne Port, Rivers State.

Ships & Ports | 17

How INTELS is empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

“I was determined to become an exceptional woman�

P

rincess (Dr.) Victoria Adesuyi Haastrup is the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN). She is also the CEO of ENL Consortium, operators of Terminals C and D at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa. In this interview, she speaks on her journey in life as a child, aspirations and determination to succeed.

Excerpt:

Give us your background briefly My parents are from Kwara State. My father is from the Ijarasin area while my mother is from Isanlu area, a neigbhouring village close to Ijarasin in Kwara State. But my maternal grandmother hailed from Ayide area of Ekiti State. I got my industrious orientation from Kwara State and my sense of character from Ekiti State. So, the combination of Kwara and Ekiti virtues moulded my life.

How did you start the business?

It is a family business. My husband and I established the company. My husband believes in me and gave me the opportunity to showcase my potentials because he knew I had the intelligence

and the capacity to operate it.

What exactly does ENL Consortium do?

We discharge ships. We have been operating for 12 years. I came on board in 2006 and it has been a wonderful experience with lots of challenges.

Port operations is supposed to be a masculine business but I have entrenched myself in the industry and proved that women can do it better than men. If you are not bold and courageous and have the intelligence and capacity, you cannot do ports business in Nigeria. It is a male-dominated environment. I have lots of male dock workers who are stronger, yet I have to withstand them and correct their excesses. At some point, I had over 5,000 dock workers in the terminal who I had to manage in the port. I brought a wind of change into port operations in Nigeria and I did all of them by the strength of God and what I believed in.

Did you have any experience or education in maritime prior to going into business?

Not at all, but, I developed myself. I did research and sought for advice and help where necessary, especially with people who have been in the Ships & Ports | 18

“I was determined to become an exceptional woman”

industry and they obliged accordingly. I also learned on the job and within six months, I was able to explore beyond expectation. It was as if I had an experience of 20 years and that was what makes me a woman.

What a man can do, a woman can do better. Woman has no limitation on what she can do.

The capacity is huge when a woman is encouraged just the way my husband encouraged me to do this job.

little position. They do not need millions to start a business.

Women should not be pulled down. Today, there are troubles in most homes because women are not supporting their husbands.

Women need to rise up to the challenge. They need to do something with their hands. They need to know that they have more than enough potentials to earn a living.

What is your area of specialization in terms of women emancipation?

I think talking is a good starting point because people suffer for lack of knowledge. You need to impart knowledge in women so as to know what they are capable of doing. A lot of women do not know what they are supposed to do. There was a young woman who attended one of the conferences I attended in Nigeria who I met when I went to Dubai for a wedding. She called me and said: “Princess, I need to share this with you.” She gave out beautiful slippers at the wedding and said to me, “this is the result of what you taught me. When you spoke at that conference, I did not have enough funds to do anything, this is what I do now.”

She was producing slippers locally by herself. Today, she has been able to put food on the table and help her husband. That is the testimony that I get. I met another woman at a forum somewhere in Lagos, she also acted on the knowledge she received and today, she produces juice locally with the little funds she generated. To me, that

My focus is on the downtrodden in society; Women who are unable to fend for themselves; women who cannot put food on the table for their children.

Women who are unable to support their husbands financially; I am talking about women that need urgent attention and help in terms of capacity-building, those who need to be developed in all areas of life.

What have you done in that regard?

I have been talking to awaken the consciousness of women in whatever capacity and opportunity available. There is need for women to develop themselves financially. I am passionate about the financial capacity of women. I am a woman that started from nothing.I had such a humble beginning and I always told other women that if I could make it, they can also make it. Women are special people.

They have the energy, intelligence and the capacity. All they need do is to be encouraged to develop themselves and that is the song that I sing anywhere I have the opportunity to talk about women.

Many women don't know that they have so much potentials in them. They need to project themselves and start from their

Is the campaign only about talking?

“

I had such a humble beginning and I always told other women that if I could make it, they can also make it.

”

knowledge is life and it is money.

So, women need to know what it takes to make it in life.

When did the campaign start?

It is part of me. I have always had passion to help women. If a man and woman come for help, I would rather attend to the need of the woman before the man.

When you help a woman, you are helping the entire family. I have been vigorous and active in what I am doing.

Something would have propelled your reactions.

Tell us the challenges you faced growing up.

When I was young, enough attention was not paid to the girlchild. Parents would usually pay attention to the male child because they believe he would project the family name and he is also more intelligent. My father thought he should lay more emphasis on the male child. I could see the male child was more focused on than the female child. The male child got more attention and financial support.

But, I grew up with the mindset that I should not be pulled down.

I am vibrant and I am a gogetter. I fought emotionally over the years especially at the age of three. So, I was determined to become an exceptional woman.

So, I am always pained when I hear that women collect chop money. It irritates me. Why does it have to be men that should give women chop money? Why can't women put food on the table for men? Why can't they work to support their husbands, pay school fees, provide for their families? I believe what a man can do, a woman can do better. I believe there is no limitation for women. There is no height a woman cannot reach. God created us equal except the sex. I am not an advocate of feminism but I am only encouraging women to take their rightful position in the home.

Ships & Ports | 19

“We refused to allow ourselves to fit into a box”

H

adiza Bala-Usman has narrated how she clinched the job of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, saying “we refused to allow ourselves to fit into a box”. She spoke during a panel discussion that centered on “what it means to be a woman in Africa” at an event organized

by CNN Africa in partnership with the

British Deputy High Commission in Nigeria in conclusion of the “Women's Month” celebration.

Speaking at the forum, Bala-Usman said she did not allow herself to be roped into a system that holds women back from reaching out for top positions in the society.

Ships & Ports | 20

“We refused to allow ourselves to fit into a box”

“We refuse to allow ourselves to fit into a box.

There's a particular narrative that's around who you are as an African woman — for me as a northern woman — that you're required to stay in that nice happy box that they've put you in, and I refused to do that.

“I wouldn't stay in that place they put me in and what happened is that I turned out to be the MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

“Where I come from in the north, women are conditioned to think that they're not meant to be out there. But I'm a woman who will take what's mine. I

serve as an inspiration to young women out there.

in government you can't advocate.

“So I encourage all of us –young women, older women to just think of who we are and what we want to achieve and push the boundaries and refuse to be defined by anyone else.”

“I reserve the right to advocate for a thing I believe in wherever I find myself. So don't limit yourself to what you've been told to do.

Usman said she's still actively part of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement, adding that being in government has not restricted her from advocating the release of the Chibok girls.

“Five years later, I'm still advocating, I wear my badge. I refuse to be put in that place that says you're

“Typically you're in government, you shouldn't challenge status quo, you shouldn't challenge government about what they should do, but for me, the Chibok girls was a passion I had.

“Girls shouldn't be abducted. I need to remind us that these girls are still in captivity. Let's remember that in our consciousness.”

Ships & Ports | 21

Breaking the bounds:

Enter Nigerian female crane operators

C

an the maritime and shipping sector still be regarded as a profession for men? Many years ago, the answer would have been a resounding 'yes', especially in Nigeria.That was the time when women were discriminated against and not considered for serious appointments in the sector.

Like in the early days of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), (1960s and 1970s) for instance, women were not easily considered for appointment because women really'didn't fit in'.They therefore struggled under very stringent conditions of employment. Married women were not employable by the company, except as what was termed “un-established staff�.

Spinsters who managed to get employed and confirmed as permanent staffhad a taste of what it meant to be in a 'man's profession'.

Though they could be allowed to get married, they were entitled to only six weeks maternity leave during their pregnancy, before and after delivery, and on half pay. It is on record that an unmarried female employee could be asked to resign her appointment if she became pregnant especially if she was unable to provide satisfactory evidence of her marriage.

These were those days. Today, everything has changed. Women are not only being employed in jobs hitherto meant for men, they now do some jobs which most men cannot do. By dint of hard work and sheer determination, they gradually became part of the industry, and later took it by storm. Hence today, we have female ship captains, engineers, lawyers, administrators, experts in port operations, sailors, and wait for it‌. women crane operators!

Ships & Ports | 22

Breaking the bounds: Enter Nigerian female crane operators

APM Terminals female crane operators

T

he APM Terminals, West Africa's biggest container terminal recently showcased its six female operators.

Some are married; some are spinsters. But all of them are enjoying their jobs operating Reach Stackers and other heavy cargo handling equipment with ease, and doing it even better than the men by adding the feminine touch of carefulness and excellence.

One thing about the six female operators is that they are doing the work with glee, enjoying doing what they are doing. At no time do they show the men that they are the weaker vessel, as they keep giving them a run for their money. Being married is no hindrance to them. “Yes, I am married; I am a mother of three, but that's Ships & Ports | 23

not going to pull me back,” says Cynthia Gobo Mac-Pepple, one of the female operators.

Cynthia, a Chemical Engineer by training, understands engines and machines. She says the difference in operating the Reach Stacker is its transmission which is different from that of a car. “The car is more of front and the reach stacker is more of the back wheel. Every time you move the plant, it's more of the back wheel.” She says she is passionate about women equality in the engineering sector. Because of that she decided to give plant operation a try.

To Enobong Udofot, an Agric Engineer, the Reach Stacker is something to play with and enjoy. “RS or Reach Stacker like they call it is just a game, it's a

Ships & Ports | 24

Breaking the bounds: Enter Nigerian female crane operators

“They should see themselves like the male species; they are humans, what is that thing they have that you don't have? Just that they are male, yeah, we are ladies, and we can do it even better. So come out, show them what you've got.”

These are three of the six female operators working at APM Terminals, posting creditable performance, and opening the door for other females who may want to do what they are doing. toy. I play with it and it's cool,” she says enthusiastically. She advises other ladies: “My advice to other ladies is for them to take away fear and focus their mind, make up their minds that they can do it, there is nothing there.”

One of the famous six, Ifunanya Loveth Umahi echoes the same sentiment, advising ladies to see themselves as humans, just like the men.

As a woman seafarer once said, professional women just have to excel and do more and be better than the men, because if they are not better than the men, they cannot occupy that position.

Indeed, these women have shattered the men's world. They have broken the bounds that once made the maritime sector a man's profession.

Ships & Ports | 25

Women Nutrition Being healthy isn't easy. There are so many little things you can do in your day-to-day that add up over time, not only helping you feel great in the moment but also ensuring you still feel topnotch down the road. From adding a little turmeric to your meals or taking the stairs over the elevator, here are ways you can be a much healthier woman with minimal effort.

1

Drink Tons of Water

Drinking water day in and day out can get a little boring, but it's super important for your body. A 2013 study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found being dehydrated can seriously impact your brain's performance—and on top of that, it can also make you feel tired, give you headaches, make you dizzy, and give you dry skin.

So drink up—even if that means adding some fruit in to make it a little more fun.

2

Cut Down on Sodium

Later, salt shaker. It might make everything taste better, but having too much in your diet isn't going to do your health any good. According to the Cleveland Clinic, excess sodium—the recommended daily amount is only 2,300 mg or 1 teaspoon, by the way—can make your heart work harder, increasing your blood pressure. But cutting back will help keep your body working properly and help you stay at a healthy weight.

3

Stop Eating So Much Sugar

Let's be honest—it's not easy avoiding sugar. It's in everything from your “healthy” instant oatmeal packs to pasta sauce, and definitely adds up over time. Not only does sugar overload lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes, but it can also give you wrinkles, fine lines, and under-eye sagging, says Dr. NigmaTalib, in her book Younger Skin Starts in the Gut. To avoid all those issues, try to avoid processed foods, stop sweetening your coffee, and eat as wholesome as you can when it comes to your diet.

4

Take Multivitamins

Even if you think you're getting all the vitamins and nutr ients you need through your diet, it's tricky—and even the healthiest individuals sometimes still need a little extra help. To give your health a boost, find a multivitamin that works for you: According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's an easy way to protect your body against an imperfect diet.

Because who's perfect anyway?

5

Eat Some Beets

Beets are definitely a love-hate vegetable, but try and convince yourself to love them—it's worth it for the health benefits. A 2011 study published in the journal Nitric Oxide found the veggie contains nitrates that actually help increase your mental performance. Thanks to some extra blood flow to your noggin, you'll be thinking much clearer.

6

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a healthy diet sounds much easier than it is, but putting your foot down and making yourself eat all those fruit and vegetables pays off. There are an endless amount of health benefits that come from fueling your body properly:You'll have more energy, your skin will be clearer, your immune system will be top-notch, and you'll stay strong as you age.

Ships & Ports | 26

Women Nutrition

10

7

Fall in love with Turmeric

There are many spices that offer some really impressive benefits, and turmeric is one of them. It's been around for thousands of years and you can do just about everything with it, whether you're making a golden milk latte or seasoning your rice. And when it comes to your health, adding the flavor into your meals pays off: A 2008 study published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology found the yellow spice can help reduce inflammation, as well as ease Alzheimer's symptoms.

8

Eat More Kale

You should be eating plenty of greens in general, but kale is an extra great addition to your plate. Not only did a 2017 study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience find that kale can help slow age-related cognitive decline, but the stuff is also full of cancer-fighting antioxidants, can help ward off inflammation, and will keep your cholesterol levels in check.

9

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Experts say you should aim for seven to nine servings of fruits and veggies a day. And yeah, that seems like a lot. But if you're filling up on mostly plants, there's no room (literally!) for any junk to sneak its way into your diet. When you're eating, the Cleveland Clinic recommends focusing on taking in a rainbow of colors, from orange carrots to red strawberries and green lettuce.

Drink Lemon Water When You Wake Up

Before you reach for your coffee, make yourself a warm glass of lemon water. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the boost of vitamin C and potassium aids digestion and protects your body against disease, helping you stay healthy.

11

Drink Infused Water

Instead of drinking soda, go for some naturallysweetened infused water. Whether it's cucumbers for a zen spa-like experience or some berries, you'll be hydrated, energized, and ready to take on the world. And the best part? Unlike soda, there won't be any negative impacts to your health.

12

Cut Back on Caffeine

If you need caffeine to kick-start your day, you're not alone—just make sure you're not going overboard.

According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking over four cups a day can cause headaches, insomnia, and irritability—AKA, all things you don't want to deal with.

13

Eat Dinner Earlier

Life is busy: Eating dinner late happens. But a 2011 study from Northwestern Medicine found making it a regular occurrence can mess with your metabolism, increasing your r isk of obesity, as well as c a rd i ov a s c u l a r, g a s t ro i n t e s t i n a l , a n d cerebrovascular disorders.

Ships & Ports | 27

How Starzs investments company is bridging human capacity gap in maritime industry

Ships & Ports | 28

How Starzs Investments Company is bridging human capacity gap in maritime industry

Engr. Greg Ogbeifun Chairman, Starzs Investments Company Limited Ships & Ports | 29

Challenges facing female

seafarers in Nigeria Female Nigerian seafarers open up on the challenges they face at work.

Captain Noimoth Akansar Let me use myself as a case study.

When I graduated from Federal College of Fishery and Marine Technology, I faced the challenge of securing space for my cadetship. The reason is that all the shipping companies I went to told me that I am not from Oron and that my school is not recognized, and it is under the Ministry of Agriculture. So, because of this, they could not give me the opportunity to serve onboard their vessel.

I thank God for Nigerdock because if not for Nigerdock, I will not be able to be who I am today. I went to Nigerdock to secure a place for slot. They told me they don't have big vessels, they only have crafts and badges. They intend to put me onboard the

vessel that came there for piloting. They also advised me if I don't mind to build my career with them. So, I was very happy and decided to stay with them since 2012. So, ever since then, I am the first female to navigate all their badges and crew boats. If not for the opportunity they gave me without discriminating that I did not graduate from Oron, where would I have been today?

So, during my service there, I have been dedicated to my job to the extent that I forged ahead to other higher degrees.

Presently, I have Masters in Maritime Transport from LadojaAkintola University of Technology. As I speak, I am the Business Development Manager for Nigerdock shipyard. I have been with them for seven years plus and they are busy building my career, guiding me, giving me professional trainings. I was licensed by NIMASA. I am also a river Master. If other shipping companies are not discriminating, we females in this profession will grow better than this.

Ships & Ports | 30

Challenges Facing Female Seafarers in Nigeria

Bukola Ayeni We have a lot of challenges.

The first one being recruitment.

It is always very difficult for females to get placement onboard because most companies believe females cannot do the work. They believe females are not strong enough to do the job. That is part of the challenges we have.

Apart from that, there's sexual harassment.

Being a female when you go to apply, someone wants to date you or passes sexual advances to you. If you don't fall in, they may end up not employing you. When you go onboard as a female, sometimes you get harassed. Maybe as a cadet, your captain wants to befriend you. I have such a challenge when I was onboard. But I thank God I was able to overcome it.

Anita Nana Okuribido Generally, women have challenges being in the world of men's professions.

Women in shipping and women in maritime are delving into that kind of value chain that has been dominated by men and it is only recently that women are now taking their positions in the management of maritime, shipping and it is tough. The men are kind of resisting. They are wandering why should women come and rub shoulders with them.

Somehow, being a leader in that value chain as a woman, I always tell professional women that they just have to excel and do more and be better than the men because if you are not better than the men, you cannot occupy that position. When a man in that profession makes mistakes, they overlook but if it is a woman, they will be like no wonder, it's a woman. So, that is why a woman needs to lead above board.

Aprofessional woman in maritime and shipping needs toengage in capacity building.You have to be skilled and you have to be dynamic in keeping abreast with the digitization in the global environment so that you can overcome all the challenges. In short, a woman in maritime or in shipping just needs to think outside the box and be well-equipped so that where the men are, she can also fit in and do better. They always say when you train a woman, you are training a nation and what a man can do, a woman can do better. The challenges are there but I don't want the women in maritime to see the challenges, instead they should overcome the challenges.

Bridget Adams I feel it is gender inequality.

Gender inequality is a big problem in the sense that most maritime investors don't believe in the females. They feel stevedoring is a male thing and generally it is a man's world, so females are not supposed to be onboard.

When we have the opportunity to go onboard, there's sexual harassment. For example, if we have 25 people onboard and just one female, every male would want to hang out with that one female at the same time.

Another thing is, when things don't go well, Ships & Ports | 31

Challenges Facing Female Seafarers in Nigeria

they feel having a female around is like having less manpower. For instance, you have a female engineer and they feel what is meant to be done within a short while might take more time with the female.

From my perspective, I feel gender inequality is a huge challenge. To us female, when we actually go into the field.

We feel we can do what the guys are doing out there, and that is why we went into it.

But this gender inequality thing is actually causing a great challenge.

For example, if you finish school say 5 years ago, and you have been looking for how to get a placement onboard, and you have not been able to get a placement.

Since you can't get a placement, you begin to think of getting married and settling for something else. I feel they should give us an opportunity because we can actually do better. I feel there is nothing men do onboard that we cannot do as well.

Itima Franka First of all, as a lady our first challenge onboard is our family because every lady or woman will always think about her family.

Secondly, the men you are working with won't see you like you are strong and fit for the job.

So, I feel most times they would want you to do the lesser job when you are supposed to do the real job like what brought you there.

Most times when onboard, women do get this inferiority complex because of the way guys behave towards them. We all know

Ships & Ports | 32

Challenges Facing Female Seafarers in Nigeria

professionally as a woman, you are not supposed to go after your fellow guy. But some men still want to show affection towards you because they know women are weaker vessels.

But the main challenge women face is that they are not given the opportunity to show their skills; not given the opportunity to bring out their God-given talent, what they really went to learn.

Ajachukwu Janet The challenges we females face in the maritime industry is: most of us are not being encouraged. When you get there you see that some persons tend to remind you that you are a woman and that such jobs are not meant for women. That is where the discouragement comes in. So, with this discouragement so many things have gone wrong. You might even go in search of placement; some companies would tell you we do not take females. These are part of the challenges we face for reasons best known to them.

If you are to go by that, it is equivalent to sayingthat women should not work at all.

But to scrap that case aside and keep the differences aside, let us see how we can help them out than putting them away in the name of 'you are a woman'. Another challenge is sexual harassment. Some top officers might just want to use you to satisfy their sexual urge. Now, it is left for the authority to pick interest in this case and see how they can reduce it, else it will keep haunting the females onboard.

Sandra Iwu One of the challenges we have at sea is they don't want to give females the chance to come onboard.

They believe that it's a men's world.

But the number one

thing is discrimination. They believe that we cannot do it but they have forgotten that a woman is very capable.

If a woman can carry a child for nine months, she is capable of handling any situation. And when it comes to the office, women are more competent. We know how to put things right. I am begging the shipping companies to try and accommodate more females. We are out there the same way the men are doing, we can do it.

Ifoma Aduluwa First of all, I will mention discrimination.

There is discrimination among the shipping companies against female cadets and female seafarers. Rarely will you see shipping companies employ female seafarers but I do hope it will be addressed. There is sexual harassment by male officers on the vessel. I pray that should be investigated. The weather is also a challenge but it is something we are already getting used to. We won't say the weather is an obstruction or an obstacle.

We'll get to pass that when going onboard, these are things we face. So we are always ready for it. The things we are not ready for are the discrimination and the sexual harassment onboard vessel.

Ships & Ports | 33

Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN)

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju President-General, MWUN

TOP 50 MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Celebrating

the amazons of Nigeria's maritime sector

W

omen have played a very key role in the g r o w t h a n d development of Niger ia's maritime sector in recent years. Their presence and contribution to the growth of the sector have been felt beyond the shores of Nigeria.

In fact, the world has been celebrating Nigerian women in the maritime sector whose exploits in mar itime law, administration, port operations, seaf ar ing, engineer ing and even operations of heavy cargo handling equipment, have

attracted global applause.

Niger ian women have demystified the mar itime sector hitherto regarded as highly technical and tasking, and therefore a no go area for wo m e n . I n re c e n t ye a r s , women have made in-road into t h e s e c t o r, e s t a b l i s h e d themselves firmly there, and today bestride the sector like a colossus. They are, indeed, real amazons.

As the world mar itime community celebrates this year's World Maritime Day, we feel there is no better time than

now to celebrate Nigeria's women in the maritime sector.

We have showcased 50 of them who have distinguished themselves in their various areas of operation, and have brought honour and respect to Nigeria in the process.

We therefore invite you to join us as we celebrate the amazons of Nigeria's maritime sector. This special publication of Ships & Ports is a collector's item, a delectable souvenir. It is a thing of beauty, which as the saying goes, is a joy forever.

Ships & Ports | 35

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Gbemi Saraki

G

bemi Saraki is a known figure in the mar itime industry and a woman of substance in Nigerian politics. Her knowledge of the industry and contribution to its progress as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport cannot easily be forgotten by maritime operators.

Gbemi is currently the Minister of State f o r T ra n s p o r t a t i o n a p p o i n t e d by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 21, 2019. She wasa former senator, representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District (20032007). Prior to that, she had been elected into the House of Representatives in 1999 to represent Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Kwara State.

Gbemi attended the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and e a r n e d a B a c h e l o r ' s d e g re e i n Economics. She did her National Youth Service at the Nigeria Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos. She worked for the Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) as Head of Money Market and later as Head of Domiciliary Accounts. From 1994 to 1999 she was Executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos.

She is widely known for her intelligence, philanthropy, and love for education. It is on record that besides her father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, no politician from the North-central zone has given out as many scholarships as Gbemi Saraki. She served as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years(2003-2011), and holds the record of the female legislator with the highest number of sponsored bills in Nigeria. As a legislator, she was an active member of House Committees, including House Committee on Aviation, Legislative Budget and Research Office, Navy, Privatization, Special

She is widely known for her intelligence, philanthropy, and love for education. It is on record that besides her father, Dr. Olusola Saraki, no politician from the North-central zone has given out as many scholarships as Gbemi Saraki. She served as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years(2003-2011), and holds the record of the female legislator with the highest number of sponsored bills in Nigeria.

Duties, and Transport.

In the Senate, Gbemi also chaired several high profile committees, including, the Senate Committee on National Planning, Pover ty Alleviation and Economic Affairs, Committee on Corruption and lastly Committee on Marine Transport. Apart from being the chairperson of the above mentioned committees, she also acted as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and belonged to the following Committees:1. Media and Publicity, Women Affairs and Youth development, Environment and Ecology, Public Accounts, Commerce, Rules and Business, Police Affairs, and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Gbemisola was also a returning member of the ECOWAS Parliament. She is engaged in numerous charity and humanitarian projects for the people of Kwara State and her humanitarian disposition is rated as the biggest among elites in the State.

Ships & Ports | 36

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Lynda Ikpeazu

L

ynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, is currently the Chairman, Federal House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Administration and Education. A known politician from Anambra State, Lynda is the daughter of a judge and two-time N i g e r i a Fo o t b a l l A s s o c i a t i o n c h a i r m a n ChubaIkpeazu.

holder of a bachelor's degree in communication, a master's degree in Business Administration, and another bachelor's degree in Law. She was a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003.

In 2004, Lynda Ikpeazuwas the winner of the Nigerian National Assembly election, representing Onitsha North-South federal constituency as After a period of absence in elective a candidate of the position, she staged a comeback in the People's Democratic last Presidential and National Assembly Party.

She was educated in Nigeria, England, and in America, where she worked as a model. In 1 9 8 6 , C h u b a Ikpeazuwon the first election, and got re-elected into the House A f t e r a p e r i o d o f Most Beautiful Girl in Niger ia pageant. In of Representatives where she now chairs absence in elective position, she staged a 1987 she was the first the House Committee on Maritime comeback in the last Nigerian in Miss Administration and Education.

P re s i d e n t i a l a n d Universe since Edna National Assembly Park in 1964, and her election, and got re-elected into the House of biggest pageant achievement was when she was Representatives where she now chairs the House crowned Miss Africa in the same year.

Committee on Maritime Administration and Education.

After her reign, Lynda became a business woman in Lagos, venturing into oil servicing. She is a

Ships & Ports | 37

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Hadiza

Bala-Usman

H

adiza is a woman who has taken Nigerian maritime industry by storm. Prior to her appointment as the managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), she was not known in the industry. But her appointment as NPA boss gave her the opportunity to prove that a woman can do better what a man can do, as she has proved skeptics wrong, and turned things around in NPA, bestriding areas where her male predecessors feared to tread and reversing abnormalities and wrongs of the past in the nation's economic gateway.

Her learning ability and management capability has stunned the maritime industry.Since her appointment in July 2016,Hadiza has accelerated the port reforms of 2006, and combated the deeply-entrenched corruption in the government agency. She has brought transparency in NPA budgets and financial management. She has

Hadiza has made history as the ďŹ rst female managing director of NPA in its 63 years of existence. She is also poised to make history in her pursuit of an aggressive 25-year port development plan that will provide a clear overview of Nigerian port system which is vital for guided port development. killed monopoly in the port industry in order to achieve one of the objectives of the port reforms which is to bring efficiency in port operations through competition.

As a social and political activist, Hadiza has been championing women empowerment. This

passion led her to take a leading position in the #BringBackOurGirls campaign of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

Hadiza has received many awards in the areas of governance, girl child education and women emancipation.

She is the Vice President (African Region) for the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH). Early this year, she was elected the Vice chairman of the Facilitation Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the period 2019-2020.

Hadiza has made history as the first female managing director of NPA in its 63 years of existence. She is also poised to make history in her pursuit of an aggressive 25-year port development plan that will provide a clear overview of Nigerian port system which is vital for guided port development.

Ships & Ports | 38

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA Princess (Dr.)

Vicky

Haastrup

P

rincess Vicky Haastrup is the Executive ViceChairman/CEO of ENL Consortium, operators of Terminals C and D at the Lagos Ports Complex, Apapa. A revelation of Nigerian ports reforms and concession of 2006, Vicky is the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN).

Princess Haastrup came into the maritime industry with great courage and aplomb having had no education or experience in maritime, before the responsibility of operating Terminals C and D of Apapa Port was thrust on her feminine shoulders. “Port operations is supposed to be a masculine business, but I have entrenched myself in the industry and proved that women can do it better than men,� she quips.

Indeed, with a lot of courage and intellectual capacity, she has excelled in Nigeria's difficult port

Princess Haastrup came into the maritime industry with great courage and aplomb having had no education or experience in maritime, before the responsibility of operating Terminals C and D of Apapa Port was thrust on her feminine shoulders. business terrain. Through research, enquiries, seeking advice where necessary, she was able to develop herself, and within six months, achieved a mastery of the industry and port operations. She believes strongly that there is no height a woman cannot reach. Despite her

royal background, she has a deep sense of responsibility and hardwork.

Princess Vicky's passion for service to humanity, has earned her several awards both locally and internationally, including winning the Shipping Personality of the Year for three consecutive times since 2011. She is the current President of the Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN) and a Trustee of Women in Logistics and Transport.

Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup is credited with several achievements and philanthropic service in the maritime industry. She also stands out as a strong advocate of women empowerment. Growing up, Princess Vicky she grew up in a mindset never to be pulled down but to become an exceptional woman.

Ships & Ports | 39

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Margret

Orakwusi

M

rs. Margret Orakwusi is one of Nigeria's foremost maritime lawyers, and a founding member of Consolidated Legal Practice. She has handled a variety of admiralty and maritime cases, including cargo claims, collision, limitation of liability, personal injury, salvage, marine liability, vessel arrests, seamen and longshoreman injuries, various types of liens, warranty issues, vessel mortgage and documentation, salvage, vessel fires and vessel repair disputes.

Her exploits in the maritime industry is not limited to law practice, as she is a celebrated name in fish trawling in Nigeria. She is the CEO of MORBOD Fisheries Ltd, and an ExPresident, Nigerian Trawler Operators Association (NITOA).

Margret's qualifications and accomplishments are too numerous to enumerate. Suffice it to mention that she is Member, Board of Trustees, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), and the first Vice-

Her exploits in the maritime industry is not limited to law practice, as she is a celebrated name in fish trawling in Nigeria. She is the CEO of MORBOD Fisheries Ltd, and an Ex-President, N i g e r i a n Tr a w l e r O p e r a t o r s Association (NITOA).

President of the association. She is also member of Nigerian Maritime Law Association and Nigerian Bar Association.She was the first Chairperson, Women Corporate Directors (WCD) Nigeria, CoChairman, Nigerian Fisheries Laboratory, a joint venture between the Private Sector (NITOA) and the Federal Government(Ministry of Agriculture) established to certify

seafood productsexported from Nigeria 2008 – 2011.

She was also the first Vice President, Women Economic Strategic Association (WESA), Council Member, Nigerian – Danish Chamber of Commerce, Industryand Agriculture.

Mrs. Orakwusi has served the country in various capacities, including serving as a member, Legal Committee of Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria on the review of the Presidential Committee Report of the Federal Government on Harnessing the Potentials of the Maritime Sector for Sustainable Economic Development and as Board Member, Nigerian Shippers Council 2018 to date. She was also a member, National Taskforce on the Implementation ofInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) Ballast WaterManagementConvention in Nigeria 2009.

Margret's local and international awards are also too numerous to accommodate here. Her advice to women is never to play down their potentials, seeing effective time management as indispensable for women's advancement in their chosen endeavoursand coping with family obligations.

Ships & Ports | 40

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Ify Anozonwu Akerele

I

ffy Anozonwu Akerele is one of the women that have made a name in the maritime sector of the Nigerian economy. She is among the first few women in the maritime industry, and the pioneer Director-General of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, an affiliate to the International Chamber of Shipping. She led the Chamber for ten years, and was honoured with a life member of the Board of Trustees.

She was also a former President of Women in Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA), andMember and Ambassador of the Women in Maritime Africa.

Iffy started her career with the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs (NIIA), and later served as the Special Assistant and Administrative Assistant to the DG, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. She later set up the Institute of Directors of Nigeria with some others, working as the Executive Secretary. From there, she moved to the Nigerian Institute of Management, and then to the Presidential Liaison Office in the senate during Obasanjo administration.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Lagos, a Master's degree in International Relations and Corporate Administration.

Elegant, delectable lady whose pretty mien belies her hard background, Iffy believes that her organizational flair stemmed from her childhood. As a thirteen-year-old girl, she had lost her father who was a prominent medical practitioner.

The death was a rude shock to the closely-knit family and

everyone found it difficult to cope, especially her mum who was still quite young. To compound everything, one month later, the civil war broke out. “I automatically grew up fast and learnt to look after my siblings and my mum who was quite shattered. I just found myself being strong for other people, hardly remembering my own self.

I don't know who gave me the mandate, but I felt I was the one to protect the family,” she always recalls.

This childhood experience prepared her for life of management of men and resources. Unknown to her she was being empowered with skills that would shape her destiny.

Looking back now at how those organizational skills have contributed tremendously to her success as the pioneer DG of the NCS, transforming the chamber from nothing to a key player in the maritime industry, Iffy says she has got every reason to be grateful for those bitter childhood pills. She is indeed a bundle of inspiration to young, growing women.

Elegant, delectable lady whose pretty mien belies her hard background, Iffy believes that her organizational flair stemmed from her childhood. As a thirteen-year-old girl, she had lost her father who was a prominent medical practitioner. The death was a rude shock to the closely-knit family and everyone found it difficult to cope, especially her mum who was still quite young.

To compound everything, one month later, the civil war broke out. “I automatically grew up fast and learnt to look after my siblings and my mum who was quite shattered. I just found myself being strong for other people, hardly remembering my own self. I don't know who gave me the mandate, but I felt I was the one to protect the family,” she always recalls.

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Monica Mbanefo

M

rs. Monica Mbanefo is one of Nigeria's foremost legal luminaries in the maritime sector and a legal gift to the world. A lawyer with over 46 years of experience out of which 39were spent in the transport and maritime industry where she had been at the centre in the formulation of polices at national, inter-governmental and international levels.

Mrs. Mbanefo was Nigerian delegate to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) meetings of the Council, Assembly and Legal Committee from 1984 to 1990. She led many delegations to IMO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Monica started her law career as a young lawyer at the Federal Ministry of Justice where she went through all the departments. This enabled her to amass vast and valuable experience that made her the choice of the United Nations in a job contest amongst many candidates in those days.

She recalls that the Ministry of Justice where she was mentored,they didn't just do the job but they worked closely with the supervisors and directors, and the experience was very rewarding.”

“

Monica started her law career as a young lawyer at the Federal Ministry of Justice where she went through all the departments. This enabled her to amass vast and valuable experience that made her the choice of the United Nations in a job contest amongst many candidates in those days.

”

In 1991 she joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and was appointed Senior Deputy Director/Legal Office of the organization.

In this capacity, she was the Secretary to the Legal Committee of IMO and secretary to several diplomatic conferences which adopted Liability Conventions and Protocols during the period.

As Director of Conference Division, Mrs.Mbanefo was in charge of about 112 out of 300 staff of over organization and reports directly to the Secretary General- IMO.She was among the six contestants for the position of the Secretary-General of the international maritime organization in 2003. She retired from the organization as Director of the Technical Cooperation Division.

Talking about women, Monica once said, “Today, women are captains of ships! There is nothing that a resilient woman can't achieve! The fact that they cope with managing the home, children, babies and everywhere shows that they have learnt to multitask and they can be very resilient.

When they want to do something they can be very stubborn and persistent.”

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Since 2006, Ships & Ports has proven to be a highly eective platform for information sharing and a source for up-to-date and relevant news for maritime industry professionals worldwide.

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Mfon

Usoro

M

fon Ekong Usoro is one of Nigeria's legal luminaries in the maritime sector. A graduate of Sociology and Law, Mfon specializes in Telecommunications Law, Banking and Finance, Foreign Investment, Environmental Law, Petroleum and Gas, Maritime, Intellectual Properties, Company and Commercial Law, Advocacy and Arbitration. She was admitted to the Nigerian bar in 1996.

Mfon is a recipient of many local and international prizes such as Alan Sneath Prize for Best Performance in Bachelor of Laws, University of Buckingham, 1994, Civil Procedure Prize-Bar Finals, Nigerian Law School, 1996, Civil & Criminal Procedure Prize-Bar Finals, Nigerian Law School, 1996, Member, Nigerian Chapter, Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA).

Mfon is the Secretary General of West and Central Africa

Her devotion to the maritime sector and port development in Nigeria earned her the appointment as the Chairperson of Ibom Deep Seaport Implementation Committee by her state of origin, Akwa Ibom State, a project she is passionately pursuing its actualization.

development in Nigeria earned her the appointment as the Chairperson of Ibom Deep Seaport Implementation Committee by her state of origin, Akwa Ibom State, a project she is passionately pursuing its actualization.

From April 2-4 2019, Usoro chaired the 6th WISTA Africa Regional Conference in Accra, Ghana which was attended by the Secretary Memorandum of Understanding on General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Port State Control, known as the Kitack Lim. The Conference had the theme: “The Role of Abuja MOU, and the pioneer Women in Harnessing the Potential of Africa Blue Economy�.

Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).Her devotion to Mfon has brought honour to Nigerian women, especially those in the maritime sector as an internationally acclaimed the maritime sector and port maritime lawyer.

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Aina Egharevba

A

ina Egharevba has made history in the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) as the first female Executive Director. She was appointed Executive Director, Marine and Operations of NPA in November 2007, a position she held till December 2011. Before her appointment as the first female ED, E g h a re v b a s e r v e d a s P o r t Manager of the then RORO Port and later as Port Manager of the nation's premier seaport, the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.

A woman much respected and a d m i re d f o r h e r c o u ra ge, forthrightness, outstanding a c h i eve m e n t s a n d n o bl e qualities, she played an active role in the actualization of the federal government's port reform programme of 2006. She served in several government committees.

She has been credited with many feats in all the key positions she held including streamlining marine and cargo handling operations at the Apapa Port, and creating a policy that eased traffic in Apapa during her tenure.

Egharevba, joined NPA as Personnel Officer I at Warri Port.She holds a Bachelors of Education (English and Literature) of the University of Benin, and attended several trainings and obtained professional diplomas and certificates A highly pro-active, focused and versatile team from various institutions across the world. It was player, she hasa proven track record in the because of her burning desire to improve management of both human and material herself and add more value to the society that resources. fired her into taking a series of professional courses in Shipping and A woman much respected and admired Por t Management, Inter national Marketing and Ship Brokerage after f o r h e r c o u ra g e , f o r t h r i g h t n e s s , gaining employment with NPA. Prior to outstanding achievements and noble that, she had a stint as a lecturer.

Egharevba is a Fellow of the Nautical Institute of Technology and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London.

qualities, she played an active role in the actualization of the federal government's port reform programme of 2006. She served in several government committees.

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Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority, (NIWA) in 2009, and subsequently made the Director of Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transport.

Chinwe graduated with B.Sc. and M.B.A degree Library studies, from Enugu State University of Science and Technology and Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, respectively. She has worked for more than thirty-five (35) years in governmental andnon-governmental organizations, consultancy and management/policy positions.

As a Librarian, she started her career with the Montreal Star Publishing Company, Canada and later the state House, Lagos.

Chinwe Ezenwa

C

hinwe Ezenwa has been on top positions in Nigeria's maritime sector, having held the position of Deputy Director, Shipping Development Management in the Federal Ministry of Transport (March and December 2008), and Acting Managing

From 1985-1987, Mrs. Ezenwa worked with the Federal Ministry of Education as the Principal Librarian. During her period there, she acquired excellent technical and policy formulation/implementation skills. Chinwe is prudent and has a very keen vision for transformational potentials in her career. Her undisputed performance and unique record projected her to high sensitive positions including: Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Education (2001-2002) Assistant Director, Police Service Commission (2002-2003), Deputy Director (Personnel Management), Police Service Commission (2003-2005), Deputy Director (SERVICOM Unit), Police Service Commission (2005-2006).

Brittania-U's main objectives, a c c o rd i n g t o U j u i n c l u d e people's well-being, better quality of life, job opportunities, and a safe and clean environment.

She retired from Civil Service in 2011, and has continued to excel as an entrepreneur. She isthe owner of an indigenous bag manufacturing company. Mrs. Ezenwa was invited to join the Board of Brittania-U in 2011. She is the Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Serve & Logistics Ltd.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Lami

Tumaka

H

ajia Lami Tumaka, is a household name in Nigerian maritime industry, and a director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). She has over three decades experience in journalism and public relations in both the public and private sectors, spending the better part of this working years as the image maker of NIMASA. She came to the Nigerian apex maritime regulatory agency, the National Maritime Authority (NMA) now NIMASA as Chief Research Officer and later transferred to the public relations department.

Hajia Lami holds a Bachelors and Master degrees in English Literature and Business Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University. She taught for five years before joining the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Minna, and rose to the position of news editor within four years. She left journalism for public relations when she got employed by Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited, Kaduna, becoming the company's public

Hajia Lami's excellent public relations and communication skills have been of tremendous advantage to NIMASA in times of dwindling public goodwill. Her resourcefulness, analytical mind and top-notch communication skills make her the quintessential and consummate public relations and strategic media expert, loved by the media. relations manager in 1995 from where she came to NMA, three years later.

Hajia's excellent public relations and communication skills have been of tremendous advantage to NIMASA in times of dwindling public goodwill.

Her resourcefulness, analytical mind and top-notch communication skills make her the quintessential and

consummate public relations and strategic media expert, loved by the media. This is why the responsibility to reposition the image of NIMASA has always fallen on her shoulders after periods of image crisis.

She has received various awards in the industry including the award of Most Outstanding Maritime Industry Image Maker by maritime journalists. She is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Tumaka.

Often referred to as the Northern Belle, Lamialso holds a diploma in Public Relations fromHollborn College, London and Certificate in Basic Film Production from the Television College, Jos. She was the pioneer chairperson of Niger State Women in Media.

Currently, Hajia Tumaka is the Director, Special Duties in the Office of the Director- General with responsibilities for external relations and technical cooperation. As part of the repositioning of NIMASA, she takes direct responsibility over all areas of technical cooperation between NIMASA and other stakeholders both foreign and local.

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job and achieving outstanding job records. From 20172018, she was the Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Department of NIMASA where she was in charge of NIMASA's planning, research, data management activities, quarterly MPR and bi-annual retreat. She also coordinated the development and implementation of corporate strategic plans, and monitored the agency performance and ensured the achievement of set indicators.

As the Director of Planning, Research and Data M a n a ge m e n t , s h e p a r t i c i p a t e d a c t ive ly i n t h e development, review and implementation of research policy and strategies, and implemented management controls and reporting procedures, ensuring that the management team has up to date situational awareness of all core issues and operating data pertinent to sound decision-making.

Aisha was NIMASA's Zonal Coordinator, Central and W e s t e r n Z o n a l O f f i c e s f r o m 2011 – 2017. She was the Registrar of Ships (2005-2010) where she was responsible for monitoring the registration of vessels flying the Nigerian flag and implementing the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) and International Conventions on Ship Registration among other related functions.

Other positions of responsibility she has held in NIMASA include Head (Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund

Aishatu Jummai Musa

A

Aisha has a strong passion for delivering the best on the job and achieving outstanding job records. From 2017-2018, she was the Director, Planning, Research and Data Management Department of NIMASA where she was in charge of NIMASA's planning, research, data management activities, quarterly MPR and bi-annual retreat.

isha Jummai Musa is a seasoned administrator in Nigeria's maritime sector.

She has over 30 years' experience in coordinating administrative activities, improving work processes, and implementing best practices and policies in the sector. She is also adept at leading research, and strategic planning for organizational growth and development.

Aisha is the Director, Administration/Human Resources at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). With a solid expertise in Human Resources Management, Aisha supervises the updating of internal database, guides operating methods and implements the Agency's organizational vision, policies, and goals. She also coordinates training, pension, health safety and environment policies, general services and projects, transport and logistics; oversees all matters relating to facilities and administration, including building lease, front desk, supply resource management and records function. She also monitors daily office operations, developing and overseeing office standard o p e ra t i n g p ro c e d u re s a m o n g m a ny o t h e r responsibilities.

Aisha has a strong passion for delivering the best on the

Unit)2000 – 2005), Ag Secretary NMA Board of Directors, 1999 – 2000 and Chief Legal Officer (1996-1999).

Before joining NIMASA, Aisha had worked with Aishatu Maimuna & Co. (Solicitors & Advocates) – Principal Partner, Alpha Services Limited, Kaduna, Alhaji Y. A. Ahmed & Sons Limited, Kaduna – Secretary/Legal Adviser and the Department of Legal Drafting, Kaduna State House of Assembly as Legal Intern (NYSC) 1983 – 1984.

Aisha attended the prestigious Queen Amina College, Kaduna where she obtained her West African School Certificate before proceeding to Bayero University, Kano (School of General Studies) to receive General Certificate of Education. She then went to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she got her Bachelor of Law degree and was called to the Bar in 1983.

She has served in many committees too numerous to mention, and has attended international and local courses relating to shipping, legal, and maritime.

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Dabney Shall-Holma

D

abney Shall-Holma is a distinguished maritime womanwith deep knowledge of the industry and the dynamics of i n t e r n a t i o n a l t r a d e . H e r k n ow l e d g e , professionalism and finesse are widely acknowledged.

Mrs. Dabney Shall-Holmaserved the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) for over three decades, and she was so meritorious in her service that she was appointed member into many presidential and ministerial committees.

She retired from the Council as Director,

She was employed in Shippers Council in 1989.

Throughout her stay at the Council, she handled trade negotiation, trade statistics, directional split of transportation traffic, cargo tracking, ensuring fair trade practices in import and export and creating standards and ensuring compliance.

She holds a B.sc degree in Political Science from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Master of Science (M.sc) degree in International Transport Studiesfrom the University of Cardiff/PrifysgolCaerdydd.

D a b n ey S h a l l - H o l m a h a s retired from the Niger ian Shippers Council but not from the maritime industry as she is currently the chairperson of the Sealink Implementation Committee, a project that is aimed at bridging the waterways infrastructure gap and enhancing the nation's trade in the ECOWAS subre g i o n wh i c h i s b e i n g promoted by the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) in partnership with the National Inland Waterways Authority and Sealink Promotional Company Ltd.

Apart from always leading NSC's ďŹ rst eleven in matters of representation on international trade, Dabney is be remembered in the industry for her contributions and achievements including, the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) in Africa, benchmark freight rates, representing Nigeria in international meetings on issues of transit trade, attending World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings on trade facilitation, etc.

Commercial Shipping. She is an expert in trade facilitation and negotiation, capacity building in transport and logistics and in cargo tracking and risk management mechanisms.

She is a God-fearing woman, known for h a rd wo r k , i n t e l l i g e n c e a n d f l a i r f o r networking. She is calm, humble, beautiful and unassuming. To all her colleagues in the Nigerian Shippers Council, both big and small, young and old, she was simply a 'mother'.

Apart from always leading NSC's first eleven in matters of representation on international trade, Dabney is be remembered in the industry for her contributions and achievements including, the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) in Africa, benchmark freight rates, representing Nigeria in international meetings on issues of transit trade, attending World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings on trade facilitation, etc.

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Aisha Ali Ibrahim Aisha Ali Ibrahim has demonstrated a great zeal incontributing to the empowerment of women in logistics and transport globally, by initiating and supporting empowerment programmes for women, and encouraging the young to take up challenging careers in the sector.

A

isha Ali Ibrahim is the current Assistant General Manager (Operations) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Prior to the latest deployments in the organization in June, she was the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, (LPC) Apapa.

As the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Nigeria's premier and largest seaport, she worked assiduously to ensure efficiency of operations handled in the port by five terminal operators, two logistics bases and jetties.

Her job also included monitoring and ensuring compliance with Lease Agreements by the terminals, coordinating all government agencies operating in the port and ensuring a conducive and user-friendly environment in addition to managing over 600 officers and staff in the complex.

Aisha has also served NPA as Senior Manager, Traffic from January 2000 –September 2006. Before then, she had worked as Terminal Manager in charge of cargo handling andcoordinated the receiving, storage and delivery of cargo (1996-2000).

Hajia Aisha Ibrahim is the Global Convener, Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT) and the Founder and

Chairperson. She is also the Global Convener of CILT Women Logistics and Transport. She was appointed the Global WiLAT Convener at the launch of the Global group at the International Conference of theCILT in SriLanka in June 2013. In that capacity, she represents the female members of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Nigeria in the Institute. The group which she started in Nigeria presently consists of nine countries with more coming on board.

She holds a Master's (M.sc) Degree in Transport from the University of Wales, Cardiff, UK (1993-1994), after obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Academic Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) Topo, Badagary, Lagos and a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree in International Studies from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Aisha Ali Ibrahim has demonstrated a great zeal incontributing to the empowerment of women in logistics and transport globally, by initiating and supporting empowerment programmes for women, and encouraging the young to take up challenging careers in the sector.

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West Africa Container Terminal, The Onne Port Complex, Federal Ocean Terminal Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria +234 8090335116, +234 8090335101 | customerservice@wact.ng

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Eniola Williams

M

rs. Eniola Idowu Williams is one of those driving the legal department of the Nigerian Ports Authority, (NPA). She was born at Ibadan, Oyo state of Nigeria, and obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) in 1985 from the University of Lagos. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986, after which she undertook the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and carried out her primary assignment at the Secretary/Legal Division of the

Mrs. Williams has maintained an unbroken career progression in the maritime industry with the Nigerian Ports Authority. Her service at NPA has spanned over two decades, serving in various capacities in the Secretary/Legal Division.

federal government sponsorship at the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) Malta, in 1998.

She graduated with a Distinction and earned a prize as the best performing Student in the “Law of the Sea�.

Mrs. Williams has maintained an unbroken career progression in the maritime industry with the Nigerian Ports Authority. Her service at NPA has spanned over two decades, serving in various capacities in the Secretary/Legal

Nigerian Ports Authority. Because of Division. her brilliant and creditable performance, she was retained in the Eniola once served as the Special Assistant to one of the former department after her service year.

Managing Directors in the course of her employment. She currently occupies the position of General Manager in charge of Eniola obtained her Master of Law Secretary/Legal Division and is the Chairperson of the NPA AntiDegree (LLM) in International Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

Maritime Law in service under the

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Chinwe

work, prof essionalism, creativity and good morals.

Ijeoma Abama

D

r. C h i n we l j e o m a Abama is the General Manager, Office of the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).She holds a medical degree from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. She is an ophthalmologist and an accomplished administrator in the medical sphere. Prior to her appointment as General M a n a ge r, O f f i c e o f t h e Managing Director, Dr. Abama was the Head and first female General Manager of NPA's Medical Division.

has impacted positively on their level of awareness in disease prevention, lif estyle modification with increased productivity. As Head of the NPA Medical Division, she paid particular attention sensitisation and screening exercises for prevention of the workforce against hepatitis, meningitis, cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS and vaccinations where applicable. She and her team also made rigorous efforts towards the control of hyper tension and malar ia among the NPA employees.

Chinwe has passion for peoplecentred health activities which prompted the implementation of several health programmes in the Nigerian Ports Authority for the employee wellbeing, which

Dr. Abama is very resilient and keys into oppor tunities in b u i l d i n g t a l e n t s t h ro u g h mentoring and coaching in everyday practice by exercising the virtues of hard

She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Association for P hy s i c i a n L e a d e r s h i p, a n alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS) and a member of the Women in Logistics and Transport ( W I L AT ) wh e re s h e wa s conferred with an award of "Role Model" in June 2015.

She attended annual meetings of the European Association of Study of the Liver (EASL) in B a rc e l o n a , S p a i n i n 2 0 1 2 ; Amsterdam in 2013, and also participated at the Global Hepatitis Summit 2018 in Toronto, Canada where she signed up for NOhep Medical Visionary – a global movement to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. She also attended several programmes in healthcare quality and safety management as well as in leadership and management.

Her vision is to improve and e n h a n c e t h e we l l b e i n g o f women through education with meaningful interactive relationships that engender modification in lifestyles with emphasis on vocation.

Presently she serves as the G en er al M an ager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services where she coordinates and monitors compliance and regulatory activities of the Authority's concessionaires.

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Ugo Madubuike

U

go Madubuike is the General Manager, Monitoring & Regulatory Services, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). She joined the Nigerian Ports Authority in April, 1996 as a Manager in the Audit Department of the Lagos Port Complex, and has worked in TinCan Island Port, Port Harcourt Port, Eastern Ports and Western Ports headquarters from where she later became the General Manager, Audit from 2009 to 2013.

Between 2013 and Sept. 2016, she moved from Audit to become the General Manager, Business Development and Joint Ventures, and in 2016, she moved to Special D u t i e s wh e re s h e re l a t e d w i t h i n t e r n a t i o n a l organizations and ports on behalf of NPA. Presently she serves as the General Manager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services where she coordinates and monitors compliance and regulatory activities of the Authority's concessionaires.

Ugo is a Fellow of the Certified Institute of Cost Management, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management Auditors, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants, and a certified Public Private Partnership Specialist of the Institute of Public Private Partnerships, Washington.

Presently she serves as the G en er al M an ager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services where she coordinates and monitors compliance and regulatory activities of the Authority's concessionaires.

Ugo hails from Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. She started her basic education in London in the early 70s, had her Secondary School education in Lagos and graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1987 with a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology.

After her National Youth Service Corp program at the Niger ian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in 1988, she proceeded to acquire an MBA at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, after which she began her working career at Leading Edge Investment Co. Victoria Island, Lagos and rose to become the Head of Treasury.

She has attended many training and professional courses both within and outside Nigeria including, Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA): Principles of Regulation Institute for Public Private Partnerships Washington, DC.; Changing the Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision Making, Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts; Managing a Concessioned Port, Landlord Port Model, Apec/Flanders Training Institute, Port of Antwerp, Belgium andStrategic Financial Planning, Crown Agents, Surrey, UK etc.

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Hariratu Mohammed

H

ariratu Mohammed is the General Manager, Ser vicom, Niger ian Por ts Author ity (NPA).Started her working career with the Nigerian Ports Authority in September in 1986 as Personnel Officer 2 in the Personnel Department, where she rose to the rank of AGM HR/Operations in 2011. She became the General Manager, Servicom in 2018.

She has attended several conferences and workshops within and outside Nigeria. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and was the Vice President,West of the CILT from 2016 to 2018. She is also one of the pioneer members of Women in Logistics and Transport. (WILAT), an affiliate of CILT and had been one time it's Welfare Officer (2010 to 2014). She is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) as well as a full member of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

Hariratu is a hardworking woman, and has held several positions of responsibility within and outside the Nigerian ports Authority.She is proactive and has a dynamic leadership quality.She is married with children.

Hariratu is a hardworking woman, and has held several positions of responsibility within and outside the Nigerian ports Authority.She is proactive and has a dynamic leadership quality

She attended St. Theresa's Primary School, Jimeta Yola in Adamawa State and Army Command School, Zaria, Kaduna State. She is a product of Queen Amina College, Kaduna from 1976 to 1981. She attended the School of Basic Studies, (SBS), ABU Zaria from 1981 to 1982. In 1982, she commenced her B.A. History and graduated in 1985. She served the NYSC in Sokoto State and passed out in August 1986.

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Funke

Agbor

M

rs. Funke Agbor, is one of the shining stars in Nigeria's maritime industry.

A legal luminary of repute, she is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. Called to the bar in 1982, she is the first female maritime lawyer in the country to become a SAN. A past President of Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Funke has participated very actively in the development and formulation of maritime policies in Nigeria,such that she is acknowledged as an authority in the industry.

She believes the maritime sector is a very important sector of the economy which the government has not fully appreciated. This lack of appreciation of the sector has made it difficult for government to put the right people in the right places to drive the Nigerian economy. She says at the moment what Nigeria has as maritime is the oil and gas sector,that is, offshore oil trading,since offshore oil and gas sector depends on maritime

She counsels that a woman can be a wife, mother and at the same time have a successful career. But they should not benchmark themselves against men who are of the same age with them in order not to face disappointments, advising young women never to rush.

Insurance Law and Litigation, Ship Finance GQ: Securitisation and International Trade Law EQ: Commercial Arbitration.

She brings her twenty-eight (28) years of legal experience, tothe litigation and arbitration group, representing clients on a broad range of maritime transactions including matters such as cargo loss and damage claims, collisions and other maritime casualties in trial and appellate courts in Nigeria and internationally.

transportation. But the real maritime sector which is international carriage of goods or international trade remains undeveloped.

Funke is a graduate of the University of Lagos and has an LLM from the University College, London. She is a member of the International Bar Association, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria and the National Maritime Law Association.

She counsels that a woman can be a wife, mother and at the same Funke Agbor is a partner in the time have a successful career. But they should not benchmark Shipping and Litigation Group of the themselves against men who are of the same age with them in Law Firm, Adepetu, Caxton-Martins, order not to face disappointments, advising young women never Agbor & Segun, specializing in to rush.

Admiralty law, Shipping & Marine Ships & Ports | 56

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Adedoyin

Rhodes-Vivour

Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour is a British Chevening Scholar and the Managing Partner, Doyin RhodesVivour& Co (Legal Practitioners and Arbitrators), a Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981 and is a Notary Public of Nigeria.

Adedoyin is one of the women who have made their marks in the maritime industry, having practiced law for over three decades. She specializes in commercial transactions, litigation,international and domestic arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, and has significant arbitral experience, as presiding arbitrator, co-arbitrator and sole arbitrator, in international and domestic arbitration proceedings.

Her areas of expertise include maritime, oil and gas, energy, construction and infrastructural projects, banking and finance, franchise and commercial disputes.

She is an advocate of alternative

Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour'sis listed inWho's Who Legal Nigeria and Guide to the World's Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts [Expert Guide] as one of the preeminent professionals in the world. She is also listed on the panel of various international and domestic arbitration and ADR institutions. dispute resolution, and she has successfully mediated several disputes. She has also acted as consultant to regulatory bodies for the drawing up of arbitration/ADR industry specific schemes.

Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour'sis listed inWho's Who Legal Nigeria and Guide to the World's Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts [Expert Guide] as one of the preeminent professionals in the world.

She is also listed on the panel of various international and domestic arbitration and ADR institutions.

She is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Court of Arbitration and the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. She is the Chairperson, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria Branch. She is a member of the International Law Association (ILA), International Committee on International Commercial Arbitration and the Pioneer Chair, Committee on International Commercial Arbitration of the International Law Association (ILA) Nigerian Branch. She is a member of ArbitralWomen and a member of the International Steering Committee of the Equal Representation in Arbitration (ERA) Pledge.

Doyin was the pioneer president of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria and a member of Nigerian Institute of Shipping. She has written several articles on Arbitration/Alternative Dispute Resolution and regularly delivers papers at international and domestic conferences and training events. Indeed, there is no exhausting the long list of her membership of professional associations, panel listings both local and international and her general accomplishments.

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Funmilayo

Olotu

F

unmilayo Olotu is one of the port managers that have brought pride to the Nigerian Ports Authority. She joined the NPA in August 1988 as a Communication Officer 1, and has had a meritorious career at the agency. Her stint in Calabar Port as port manager brought life and increased business activities to the moribund port.

Against all odds, and amidst corruption and the politics of dredging the access channel to the port which has greatly limited ship calls and business at the port, she made giant strides in revenue generation and revival of the port.

After two years and nine months at Calabar Port, the port recorded a 150% increase in revenue. The port's revenue which was N837,231,974.04 between 2013-2015 soared to N2,471,020,157.27 between 20162018 and the volume of business also increased geometrically. She was able to clearall debts hanging on the port and still left a substantial credit balance for the port before leaving for the premier port, Apapa.

Her stint in Calabar Port as port manager brought life and increased business activities to the moribund port. Against all odds, and amidst corruption and the politics of dredging the access channel to the port which has greatly limited ship calls and business at the port, she made giant strides in revenue generation and revival of the port.

sum of N27 million from clients who had underpaid the Authority.

All these have not gone unnoticed, as in 2002, she bagged the Officer of the Port Award, TinCan Island Port for personally obtaining the Electronic Llyods as head of her unit and generating $65,000.

Funmilayo is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, the highest professional membership grade of the institute.She joined the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in 2002 and is one of the 117 distinguished professionals from different walks of life awarded Fellowship of the Institute.

Mrs. Olotu is known for her brilliant and bold contributions. Her prudent and anti-corruption stance has been an asset to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). This has enabled Mrs. Olotu holds a Bachelor of Arts(Ed) degree in English, a the Authority to save and recover lost Diploma in Marketing and Master of Education in Guidance and revenues. At one of the units at the Counseling.She is married with four children. ports she headed, she recovered the

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Marie Asein

M

arie Ehemeiri Asein is the current Port Manager of Calabar Port. She was born at Uhunmora-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. She attended Okpameri Girls Grammar School, Ibillo where she obtained her West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1978. Thereafter, she proceeded to the College of Education in 1979 and obtained an NCE Certificate in 1982.

Still in pursuit of academic excellence, she proceeded to Edo State University, Ekpoma for a Bachelor of Science (Bsc) degree in Geography in June 1986. She also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Lagos State University, Ojo. Marie is a member of several professional bodies such as Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) and Women in Shipping, Logistics and Transport.

Prior to her latest appointment as the port manager of Calabar Port, she was Principal Manager (TraďŹƒc Manager) at Delta Ports, Warri.

She had also served NPA as Manager, Western Ports, and Assistant Manager (Claims), Container Terminal, Apapa where she worked in determining damages to cargoes during discharge and assessment of extent of loss of cargoes during discharge among other duties.

Prior to her latest appointment as the port manager of Calabar Port, she was Principal Manager (Traffic Manager) at Delta Ports, Warri. She had also served NPA as Manager, Western Ports, and Assistant Manager (Claims), Container Terminal, Apapa where she worked in determining damages to cargoes during discharge and assessment of extent of loss of cargoes during discharge among other duties.

She had also worked as Assistant Manager, Tin Can Island, and Assistant Manager, Traffic (1995-2000), and Traffic Officer ll&l and (1987-1995), where she gained considerable experience in discharging and loading of vessels (Operations) and general administration. She has attended several training programmes locally and internationally.

Marie cherishes her Shipping and Logistics career, and also likes working in a challenging environment where excellence is cherished and rewarded.

Ships & Ports | 60

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Carol Ufere

C

a ro l A k u m U f e re i s c u r re n t ly a n Independent Maritime Consultant and L i c e n s e d H u m a n Relationspractitioner.She worked in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for many years and retired in 2018. Bef ore her retirement from the organization, she held the positions of General Manager Servicom and General Manager Superannuation & Investments. She was also a Po r t M a n a ge r wh e re s h e d e m o n s t ra t e d excellence in port administration and terminal operations. Between 2015 –2016, she was the General Manager, Special Duties.

Carol was also NPA's Coordinator for the International M a r i t i m e Associations on behalf of Nigeria.

T h e s e Associations i n c l u d e International Association of Ports &Harbours (IAPH), Pan African Por t Cooperation ( PA P C ) a n d P o r t M a n a g e m e n t Association of West and Central African (PMAWCA. For three years (2004 -2007), she was Personal Assistant (Human Resources) to the Managing Director. In this position, she played active roles in the port reforms process as a member of numerous sensitive committees critical to the reform process.

She is well versed in building capacity in the field of human resources, personnel management, service delivery, monitoring and evaluation procedures and pension fund administration for large governmental organizations.

Since 2015, she has been working for the United Nations as Instr uctor in Train For Trade Programme. She is the President and Co-founder, Committee of Friends for Humanity (COFFHA), a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded as far back as 1993.

C O F F H A i s a n organization that is m a d e u p o f accomplished women of integrity in business and o t h e r re l a t e d professions, with a mission to s u p p o r t , encourage and u p l i f t l e s s privileged women and children in our society.

Carol holds a Master's degree in Public Administration of the University of Lagos. She obtained her first degree BA (Hons), History from the University of Benin in 1984.

She attended Queen of Holy Rosary College, Onitsha where she obtained her West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1975.

She has attended the HBS-NIM Leaders Program Carol is a maritime practitioner with over three of the Harvard Business School, and holds a d e c ades of global certificate. She also experience of Carol is a maritime practitioner with h o l d s a T ra n s p o r t operations and over three decades of global Certificate of the administration in Institute f or Water mar itime and por t e x p e r i e n c e o f o p e r a t i o n s a n d E d u c a t i o n D e l f t , sector, during which she administration in maritime and port sector, Holland as well as has led multicultural and during which she has led multicultural and Certificate in Strategic multilingual teams multilingual teams across Africa, building P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s , across Africa, building a P ro t o c o l & T r a v e l strong professional a strong professional network.

Management UK. network.

Ships & Ports | 61

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Abiodun Gunwa

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rs. Juliana Abiodun Gunwa retired from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as the Director of Marine Environment Management. Currently she is a consultant to the International Maritime Organisation,(IMO).

The appointment by the global maritime organization is in keeping with its offering consultancy appointments to officials of maritime administrations who have distinguished themselves in the various activities of the organization in different parts of the world. Thus, Mrs. Gunwa joined other distinguished practitioners from other maritime administrations across the globe who have been so honoured.

It must be noted that this appointment came while she was still a staff of NIMASA, and her appointment as a consultant to the IMO was basically on advisory capacity. Her responsibilities as an IMO consultant include giving technical and professional advice to the IMO on issues of marine environment management, f acilitating IMO organized conferences and workshops and serving on technical committees as the need arises amongst others.

While serving NIMASA as Head of

Marine Environment Management, she created more awareness for a safe and friendly marine environment which is necessary for the smooth operation of shipping activities, while also conserving and preserving aquatic lif e.T h i s , i t m u s t b e obser ved, is one of the core mandates of NIMASA.

While serving NIMASA as As a new IMO consultant Head of Marine Environment recently, she has chaired a technical sub-committee of Management, she created more the IMO that produced a awareness for a safe and friendly manual on Marine marine environment which is Pollution Prevention which document has been necessary for the smooth operation approved by the IMO's of shipping activities, while also MEPC implementation conserving and preserving aquatic across the globe. life.This, it must be observed, is Mrs. Gunwa has had over 15 one of the core mandates of years active participation in the NIMASA. activities of the IMO both locally and internationally with numerous successful regional and national

workshops organized by the IMO in Nigeria to her credit.The appointment is in recognition of her contribution in the activities of the IMO as well as her effective participation at IMO sessions in London over the years.

Mrs. Gunwa who joined the services of NIMASA in 2002 earned a first degree in Humanities from the prestigious University of Ibadan. She also has an M.sc in Marine Management from the Dalhousie University Halifax, Canada and another M.sc in General Maritime Administration from the World M a r i t i m e U n ive r s i t y, M a l m o, Sweden obtained in 1989 and 1993 respectively.

She started her working career with the Federal Ministry of Transport (Maritime Services) department in 1982 and was later seconded to the Government Inspector of Shipping in 2000 as Head of Marine Environment division until she joined NIMASA in 2002.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Iroghama

B. Obuoforibo

I

roghama graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston with a BSc. Biology and Psychology in 2007. In 2011, she completed her Master's Degree in Health Promotion and Public Health, from Brunel University, London.

In the year 2014, Iroghama was recommended by a consultant firm, during a corporate restructuring of Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL), to serve in an Executive capacity in the Company. In September 2014, she was officially appointed Executive Director and subsequently she assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer, SICL, a ship-owning and marine logistics provider with a fleet of vessels providing offshore support to various international oil companies.

Her youthful and spirited personality combined with an unparalleled commitment to the vision of Starzs has immensely impacted on the overall growth of the company in a short while.

Her youthful and spirited personality combined with an unparalleled commitment to the vision of Starzs has immensely impacted on the overall growth of the company in a short while.

Iroghama Obuoforibo is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School OPM program and a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD) and Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ). She is the Chairman, Finance and Membership Committee of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).

She is also a Director of Eaglewatch Security Company, a security company that was established in 1999 to provide professional security services. In 2010, she founded Hair Hairven Limited, a company which manufactures hair care products for the maintenance of hair extensions and natural hair. The company has grown to include hair salons in its model by establishing multiple branches of “The Hairven Hair Bar” in Port Harcourt with plans to expand to other cities.

In 2013, she emerged the winner of the MTN maiden edition of “The Next Titan”, an entrepreneurial TV reality show that was designed to produce one talented young entrepreneur in the country through effective accomplishment of various business tasks. She has received several awards for her business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit and has had a positive impact on youths through various platforms as she continues to strive for excellence. These awards include two consecutive Eagle awards for Young Entrepreneur of the year and the Future Awards Nomination, 2017.

Ships & Ports | 63

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Isa

Mairo Talatu

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eputy Comptroller General of Customs (DCG) in charge of Tariff and Trade, Isa MairoTalatu is one of the few female top Customs officers that have made an indelible mark in areas of revenue generation, maintenance of cordial relations between officers and clearing agents as well as creation of a conducive atmosphere for female officers to work in a career largely dominated by men.

While serving as Controller, Lilypond Command, now Tin Can 11 Command, Talatu's determination and efforts to resuscitate the once moribund terminal yielded positive results as the command witnessed increased transfer of containers to the terminal which thus translated into higher revenue collection.

Talatu is also the first female Controller in the first model port in Nigeria since it was created in 2006. While serving at PTML, Talatu transformed the image of the command such that the hitherto unclean offices and quarter guard are now wearing new looks.

Talatu's commitment and hard work did not go unnoticed by the Customs management as it earned her not only commendations but also promotion from the rank of a Comptroller to the rank of an Assistant Comptroller General in 2017, and subsequently appointed Deputy Comptroller General, in charge of Tariff and Trade, in 2018, a position she holds till date.

Talatu's commitment and hard work did not go unnoticed by the Customs management as it

earned her not only commendations but also promotion from the rank of a Comptroller to the rank of an Assistant Comptroller General in 2017, and subsequently appointed Deputy Comptroller General, in charge of Tariff and Trade, in 2018, a position she holds till date.

Ships & Ports | 64

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Jayne

Shoboiki

C

omptroller Jayne Shoboiki is the first female Customs Area Controller at the Murtala Muhammed Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

She joined the Nigeria Customs Service in April 1989 as an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) and had her basic training at Customs Training College Ikeja.

She has served in several NCS formations including the premier port, Apapa and Tin Can Island port where she both served as the first female officer in charge of the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU).

She also served as Deputy Commandant of the Customs Training College.

In 2016, she was promoted to

In 2016, she was promoted to the rank of full Comptroller and was posted to Strategic Research and Policy (SR&P) Headquarters Abuja, where she became the Comptroller, International Customs, dealing with the World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations. the rank of full Comptroller and was posted to Strategic Research and Policy (SR&P) Headquarters Abuja, where she became the Comptroller International Customs, dealing

with the World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international organizations.

Besides degrees in Law and Public Administration, Shoboiki also has a master's degree in International Studies and a Doctorate degree (PHD) in International Relations. She is a member, Nigerian Bar Association and Fellow, Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators. She is an alumnus of University of Reading, United Kingdom.

Ships & Ports | 65

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Oladunni Morenike

C

omptroller Oladunni Morenike, is the Area Controller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from University of Ile Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University and a Master's degree in Social Works from the Lagos State University.

Comptroller Oladunni is a seasoned Customs officer who has served over the years in various capacities ranging from revenue to enforcement and also intelligence units.

As a revenue officer, she served as Special Assistant to five Area Controllers between October 2008 and February 2012. As a Deputy Controller, she was the Terminal Head of APM Terminals, Apapa Area Command between August 2012 and March 2015.While serving as APMT Terminal Head, she ensured that appropriate revenue was generated from every consignment imported and exported out of the country.

Despite numerous challenges, Comptroller Oladunni has been able to harness available resources at her disposal to increase the revenue drive of the Command positively. This is evident in the revenue generated by the Command in the last eight months of 2019, as the sum of 9,497,704,598.00 was collected, representing more than 90 percent of its revenue target for the ye a r. W h e n c o m p a re d t o t h e s u m o f 6,302,228,485.00 collected within the same period of 2018, there is an increase of 50.7 percent.

The command's revenue milestone was collected in the month of July 2019 with over 2.2billion, being the highest revenue generated at the Command in a single month.

Comptroller Oladunni is stopping at nothing to continuously build up the revenue of the command, bring all extant laws to play without compromising integrity and bearing in mind the importance of national security and the lives of Nigerians.

As an intelligence officer, she was a resource person at the School Of Intelligence where she taught "Disposal of Classified Waste" and she was fondly referred to as "Madam Disposal".

After her promotion to the rank of Comptroller, she served as Controller License and Permit Unit at the NCS h e a d q u a r t e r s , A bu j a a n d L a go s industrial command Lagos prior to her present posting.

Comptroller Oladunni is the 18th Controller of the KLT Command, which is a dry port, and has succeeded in repositioning the Command to become the fastest Customs port achieving clearance within 48hrs.

Despite numerous challenges, Comptroller Oladunni has been able to harness available resources at her disposal to increase the revenue drive of the Command positively. This is evident in the revenue generated by the Command in the last eight months of 2019, as the sum of 9,497,704,598.00 was collected, representing more than 90 percent of its revenue target for the year.

Ships & Ports | 66

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Florence Dixon

C

omptroller Florence Olasunbo Dixon is the Area Controller, PTML Command of the Nigeria Customs Service.

A woman of few words, Comptroller Dixon has served in various Customs formations including, Zonal Headquarters, Yaba and the NCS Headquarters, Abuja as Controller Administration and Controller Posting respectively.

Prior to her deployment to PTML, Comptroller Dixon was the Comptroller Edo/Delta Command.

She has also served as Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) in charge of Administration at the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja

and Officer in charge (OC) of Fast Track at former Lilypond Customs Command, OC welfare, Zone A, headquarters and OC Sifax Terminal.

Within the period she took over at PTML, the command recorded its highest monthly revenue collection since its creation in 2006. She achieved this feat by a combination of blocking revenue leakages and persistent enlightenment of customs personnel, importers and their agents against infractions.

Within the period she took over at PTML, the command recorded its highest monthly revenue collection since its creation in 2006. She achieved this feat by a combination of blocking revenue leakages a n d p e r s i s t e n t enlightenment of customs personnel, importers and their agents against infractions.

Comptroller Dixon equally oversees optimum trade facilitation by ensuring that vehicles with genuine

documentation are cleared from Customs control within six hours in the command.

Ships & Ports | 64

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Funmilayo Fasan

C

omrade Funmilola Fasan is the Vice President-General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN). She is also the Financial Secretar y, Niger ian Labour Congress (NLC) Women's Committee Lagos Chapter.

Born to the family of Chief and Mrs. O m o d u n n i S h oye l e, C o m ra d e Funmilola, after completing her primary and secondary education, proceeded to Yaba College of Technology, Lagos where she g ra d u a t e d w i t h a D i p l o m a i n Accounting.

She started her working career as a clerk with Sofisticat Nigeria Limited.

T hereafter, she joined TransAtlantic Shipping Agency as a front desk officer in 1992. She was later t ra n s f e r re d t o t h e c o m p a ny ' s AccountsDepartment where she was saddled with the responsibility of managing var ious clients accounting records.

Funmilola's passion for people and speaking for the voiceless made her join the maritime union in 1994. She contested and won election as the unit Assistant Secretary, Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding (TASAL UNIT), and remained at the position till the formation and merger ofthe four units as Maritime Workers

Union of Nigeria in 1996. She served as the District Special Female Member of the union from1996 to 2005.

Funmilola's passion for people and speaking for the voiceless made her join the maritime union in 1994. She contested and won election as the unit Assistant Secretary, Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding (TASAL UNIT), and remained at the position till the formation and merger ofthe four units as Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in 1996.

She left Trans-Atlantic Shipping Agency to join Comet Shipping Agency Limited in 2006 and still maintained her position in the union. In 2005, she wa s e l e c t e d a s t h e MWUN Shipping B ra n c h Wo m e n R e p re s e n t a t ive a n d served till 2009. In 2009, she was elected as the MWUN National Trustee and served for two terms meritoriously till 2017.

Trustee, MWUN, in 2012, she was elected as Trustee, International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Women's wing, Niger ia Chapter till 2017. She was elected MWUN, Vice President-General in 2017, a position she holds till date.

Currently, she has been seconded by her employer, Comet Shipping Agency Limited, to their subsidiary, Five Stars Logistics Limited at Tin Can Island Port office as Delivery Supervisor.

S h e h a s a t t e n d e d n u m e ro u s seminars, congresses, trainings and workshops in various labour m a n a g e m e n t s t ra t e g i e s a n d leadership training both locally and internationally.

While serving as the National Ships & Ports | 69

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Mary

Madu Hamman

M

ary Madu Hamman is the President of Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) – Nigeria. She is also a Chartered member/ female representative in the Council of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Mrs. Hamman joined the National Maritime Authority (NMA), now Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in 1993 after working with the Nigerian Postal Service and has risen through the ladder to become an Assistant Director in the Shipping Development Department of the agency, a position she in the world, the Mrs. Hamman joined the National International Maritime Authority (NMA), now Nigerian Maritime Organization (IMO).

Maritime Administration and Safety Agency The association has (NIMASA), in 1993 after working with the equally championed Nigerian Postal Service and has risen through humanitarian efforts for women through the ladder to become an Assistant Director in the purchase of fishing Shipping Development Department of the boats, fishing nets, boat engines in agency. various parts of the country especially the occupies till date.

Aguleri women in fishing group in Anambra State.

WISTA Nigeria under her watch was able to secure a seat at the apex regulatory body for maritime activities

She has attended numerous maritime courses both in Nigeria and abroad including Anatomy of Shipping in Cambridge University, in the United Kingdom.

Ships & Ports | 70

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Bola Muse

She started the pet project in 2002, and today, the Foundation has touched so many lives. From skill acquisition centre for the youth to scholarship scheme,the foundation also cares for the elderly, empowers the less privileged and sponsors major sporting competitions for the youth.

Apart from few friends and voluntary donations by some concerned individuals, Bola continues to fund her Foundation as she remains passionate about putting smiles on the faces of people.

B

ola Muse is anoutstanding name in the area of freight forwarding in the Nigerian maritime industry. She is the current president of WIMAFRICA (Women in Maritime Africa, Nigeria), the institutional framework for capacity building, cooperation and entrepreneurship development of women in the maritime sector.

Bola is the Chief Executive Officer of Bomorah Group, and the Treasurer of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA). She is also the founderand head of Women's wingof ANLCA. Hajia Bola Muse is not just an entrepreneur but a role model to most women. Sociable, focused, humble and elegant, Bola has continued to be a rallying point for the less privileged in the society whose wellbeing she sees as one of her topmost priorities. This priority she concretized by establishing Bomorah Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that cares

Bomorah Farms Ltd, a member of Bomorah Group has provided employment for the youths, in addition to providing jobs through her travels and tours outfit and other companies in her Group. She has indeed been ablessing to many as she has over sixty workers in her employ. for the less-privileged in the society, an initiative that has made her a household name both in the maritime industry and the larger society.

Hajia Bola Muse is not just an entrepreneur but a role model to most women. Sociable, focused, humble and elegant , Bola has continued to be a rallying point for the less privileged in the society whose well- being she sees as one of her topmost priorities. This priority she concretized by establishing Bomorah Foundation, a non-governmental organization that cares for the lessprivileged in the society, an initiative that has made her a household name both in the maritime industry and the larger society.

Bola worked in several companies in Kano after secondary school. After a stint with Honda Motor Company in Kano State as a young clerical officer in the 80s, she enrolled at Baron School of Business Administration in 1988 where she obtained her Ordinary National Diploma in Business Administration. She proceeded to Kano State Polytechnic in 1991 for her Higher National Diploma in Secretarial Administration.

She also has a postgraduate Diploma and Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Calabar.

Hajia Bola Muse is a recipient of other numerous professional certificates and awards in addition to life Ships & Ports | 71

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Anita De Werd

A

nita de Werdis an experienced and energetic business leader in global organizations, both in corporate and regional roles. An expert in transformational leadership, she has a track record in building global brands that differentiate their value proposition in the market. Her chain of successes is achieved by focusing on customer insights, working with open-minded leaders and approaching the market in innovative ways.

Anita is the Head of Marketing and Business Development Maersk Africa. She is a Member Board of Management, Global Head of Marketing, Safmarine. From 2015 2019, she was also Member Board of Management, Global Head of Strategic Marketing and Business Development, Damco at The Hague, Netherlands where she was involved in building a new department as strategic growth lever for Damco, developing strategic partnerships based on synergies across the Maersk organization to drive a more effective and integrated business etc.

Anita also worked with Teva P h a r m a c e u t i c a l s i n A m s t e rd a m , N e t h e r l a n d s a s D i re c t o r, G l o b a l C o m m u n i c a t i o n s wh e re s h e w a s responsible for strategic communication for 20,000 global non-desk employees, and acted as a partner, teacher and coach t o communications

colleagues on the global sites. She was a trusted adviser to operations leaders for their business needs.

From 2013 -2015, Anita worked with Philips Lighting in Amsterdam as Global Head of Brand Management. Her work schedule entailed stakeholder engagement sessions to enhance customer insights and deploy gained knowledge in campaigns, packaging and communications and roll out of brand related programs for the Lighting business. She was also responsible for training among other responsibilities.

Anita attended IMD Business School Executive Education, and obtained a degree in Leadership (1918).

She also holds MBA degree in Customer Based Management (1998-2001). She had earlier attended Hotel School, The Hague from 1989-1991. She is a certified Expert Marketing Professional at the Netherlands Institute of Marketing.

S h e wa s c o m m i t t e e m e m b e r M a rke t i n g a n d Communications in Special Olympics, an organization that helps individuals with intellectual disabilities overcome barriers through sports.Anita has extensive experience in stakeholder management and has a proven track record in creating successful teams in international work settings. She is knowledgeable about branding, getting employees engaged with new b r a n d s , a n d d ev e l o p i n g a n d i m p l e m e n t i n g communication strategiesin line with organizational objectives.

Anita has extensive experience in stakeholder management and has a proven track record in creating successful teams in international work settings. She is knowledgeable about branding, getting employees engaged with new brands, and developing and implementing communication strategiesin line with organizational objectives.

Ships & Ports | 72

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Funmi Folorunsho

Hitherto, African ship owners had not been investing in ships as they had been complaining of the policies under which they had been operating. With Ms. Folorunsho's advocacies, African governments have started developing favourable policies to aid the growth of the maritime industry.

To Funmi Africa has not been attractive for ship owners because policies have made investment in ships too costly and cumbersome. Hence she has been organizing conferences of African ship owners and gover nments aimed at evolving favourable policies and regulations for Africa's shipping sector. As she maintains, “Policies and laws have made it difficult to acquire vessels. Financing has also been a problem for the investors.�

Hence, Funmi Folorunsho has been working in partnership with the maritime industry regulators to get full benefits of the industry so as to create wealth and employment in Africa.

M

rs. Funmi Folorunsho is a maritime consultant and the Secretar y-General of Afr ican Ship-owners Association. She was the pioneer DirectorFunmi Folorunsho as the General of Indigenous Shipowners Association of Secretary-General of African Nigeria (ISAN). She was also the pioneer Executive Secretary of NIMAREX (Nigeria Maritime Expo) that Ship-owners Association has has been showcasing the maritime potentials of started impacting positively on ship Nigeria's maritime sector as well as a former ownership in Africa, as African ship President of WISTA, Nigeria.

owners have started investing in ships as a result of the introduction Funmi Folorunsho as the Secretary-General of African Ship-owners Association has started of favourable policies and impacting positively on ship ownership in Africa, as regulations that govern the African ship owners have started investing in ships as a maritime sector. result of the introduction of favourable policies and regulations that govern the maritime sector.

Ships & Ports | 73

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Priscilla

Ogwemoh

P

riscilla Ogwemoh is one of the women that dominate maritime law practice in Nigeria. A Bachelor and Master Degrees holder in Law, she is the Managing Partner of Kevin Martin Ogwemoh Legal, a law firm. She is a fellow of Nigeria Institute of Chartered Arbitrators of Nigeria, a CEDR-UK Accredited Mediator, a Member of the Panel of Neutrals, Lagos Multi-Door Court House(LMDC), a Member of the Panel of Neutral Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), a Council Member, Nigerian Bar AssociationSection on Business Law (NBA-SBL), the Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria) Maritime Committee and until very recently the Managing Partner of OlisaAgbakoba Legal.

With over 27 years' experience in legal practice, Mrs.Ogwemoh serves on the Board ofseveralcompanies. On February 28 this year (2019), she was appointed to the Board of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc. A brilliant lawyer, Priscilla won the Best Female Managing Partner, 2016

A brilliant lawyer, Priscilla won the Best Female Managing Partner, 2016 at The African Lawyers Awards, the most recognized award for African lawyers. She won the award out of over 200 entries from different African countries. Her area of specialization is Maritime and Commercial Law. at The African Lawyers Awards, the most recognized award for African lawyers. She won the award out of over 200 entries from different African countries. Her area of specialization is Maritime and Commercial Law. Mrs. Priscilla Ogwemoh epitomizes leadership par excellence as

demonstrated in the precision with which she handles the general administration and day to day running of the multifaceted practice of the law firm.

She is one of the leading Women Mediators in the Country and currently serves as the Director of the OAL Arbitration and Mediation Centre, which is the first law firm annexed ADR center in Nigeria. She is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a legal adviser to the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).

Priscilla is a Judge of the International Law Students' Association Jessup Moot Court Competition and has assessed several Memorials in the competition since 2013. She was recently appointed a panel member of the NBA Disciplinary Committee.

Priscilla says to young lawyers, “Keep your eyes on the ball; be focused in all you do, define your objectives, remain firm, stick to your objectives and be tough.�

Ships & Ports | 75

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Ifeoma

Adanma Ezedinma

Ifeoma was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, and is the second of seven children of the late Professor and Mrs. F. O. C. Ezedinma. She started her education at the University Primary School, Nsukka, and we n t o n t o Fe d e ra l Government Girls' College, Gboko for her secondary education. After completing her secondary education, she went to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she obtained a degree in English and Literary Studies in 1987.

When she is done at the office, s h e e n j oy s re a d i n g a n d working with her hands, as she s p e n d s t i m e wo rk i n g o n embroidery, crochet and cross stitch.

I

feoma Adanma Ezedinma, joined the Nigerian Shippers Council in 1994 and is presently the Director, Regulatory Services. Her work experience within the Council cuts across several departments such as Human Resources, SERVICOM and Strategic Planning and Research. She is the member currently representing Nigerian Shippers Council on the Board of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN).

Ifeoma is a member of several professional bodies such as International Multimodal Transport Association (IMMTA), American Academy of Project Management (AAPM), and Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Her work experience within the Council cuts across several departments such as Human Resources, SERVICOM and Strategic Planning and Research. She is the member currently representing Nigerian Shippers Council on the Board of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN).

She holds a post graduate diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management as well as Master of Science (M.sc) degree in Maritime Studies (Shipping Management) from the World Maritime University Malmo, Sweden.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Tosan Edodo Emoren

T

osan Edodo Emore is among the array of brilliant women lawyers in the Nigerian maritime sector. She is a bilingual, transport, energy, and investment lawyer and Chairman of African Maritime Forum Limited. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Buckingham, England and a Master of Law degree from the University of London, England.

She has a working knowledge of French having studied the language and French Civilization at the UniversitĂŠ Catholique De L'Ouest, Angers, France and at the UniversitĂŠ Catholique De L'est, Lille, France.

She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. She started her law career with Sani Mohammed, Kuso & Co., Kaduna, and later at Akporiaye, Edodo & Associates, Warri, Delta State. In 1996 she was part of the Nigerian trade delegation to bilateral talks with the United Kingdom and was on the Presidential delegation which accompanied former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on a State Visit to the United Kingdom in September 2000.

She is an active member of the Women International Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA).

She is the Financial Secretary of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, and the Secretary General of the Franco- Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Tosan'sareas of specialization include, transport, energy, environment laws and legislative drafting. Her experience in legislative drafting for the Nigerian National Assembly has made her relevant in assigned tasks involving preparation of legislations for developing economies and emerging markets. She has worked for the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and the Senate

Committee on Environment and Ecology.

Her advanced legal training and vast experience in conceptualization, drafting and review of legislations make her most useful in the preparation of legislations and agreements necessary for the realization of legal objectives in developing economies or emerging markets.

Mrs. Edodo-Emore has been involved in the preparation, drafting, review and perfection of intricate commercial agreements, ranging from media planning and buying, service agreements to project management and coordination agreements.She is the convener of Lagos International Maritime Week.

Her advanced legal training and vast e x p e r i e n c e i n conceptualization, drafting and review of legislations make her most useful in the preparation of legislations and agreements necessary for the realization of legal objectives in developing economies or emerging markets.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Jean

Chiazor-Anishere

J

ean Chiazor-Anishere is one of the gems of maritime law practice and a pride to women in the industry. A woman legal practitioner of many firsts she was in October last year (2018) inaugurated as the African President, Women in Maritime Industry (WIMAFRICA), where she is working to make the new group of African women in maritime a strong organization for women in the African maritime industryand a voice in African Union (AU). She has been the president of Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTANIG).

My JAMB had nothing to do with studying Law. I chose to study Medicine and Optometry, and I was admitted into in University of Benin

Jean Chiazor-Anishere did not

she left Olisa Agbakoba and

start her career in maritime. She

Associates to open her own law

started her legal practice at the

firm, Jean Chiazor & Co. “My

Federal Ministry of Justice,

venture into Law practice is an

where she worked at the

exciting one,” says lively Jean.

Department of Director Public

She had not planned to be a

Prosecutions (DPP). She moved

lawyer. But her father diverted

on to the private sector to work

her to the profession. “My JAMB

with Jane Afolabi & Co as a

had nothing to do with studying

solicitor for 18 months and later

Law. I chose to study Medicine

with the late Bayo Kehinde

and Optometry, and I was

(SAN). Her entry into maritime

admitted into in University of

was in 1998 when Olisa

Benin. It was my late father, Dr.

Agbakoba invited her to manage

(Chief) Philip Chiazor, who was a

his Law firm because of his other

broadcaster and the General

human rights activities. “It was

Manager of Bendel Broadcasting

there that I was introduced to

Services, who felt that one of his

Maritime Law practice and got

children should be a lawyer…he

stuck till date,” she quips. Later

chose me to drive his ambition through.”

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Karen

Ogidigben

Director, Crew Management and Training at Hapag-Lloyd

Karen is a woman who came to the maritime industry, saw and conquered. A Bachelor of Science graduate of Biochemistry, she had no knowledge of the maritime industry by the time she found herself there. The only relationship she had with the industry was growing up in a port city. But because of her enthusiasm to learn, she accepted the job offer from a shipping company to work in business development and crewing. To her, it was an opportunity to learn about the maritime industry.

Her enthusiasm, passion and quick learning capacity were recognized by her employer who entrusted her with more responsibilities than her job title entailed. Working in Nigeria's maritime environment was quite challenging as a young lady who had to deal with both seafarers and vessel owners with relatively decades of experience in

Her enthusiasm, passion and quick learning capacity were recognized by her employer who entrusted her with more responsibilities than her job title entailed. Working in Nigeria's maritime environment was quite challenging as a young lady who had to deal with both seafarers and vessel owners with relatively decades of experience in the industry. But her dexterity on the job made them think she was really great on the job.

her to work for them in Dubai. That was how Karen left Nigeria 18 months later to work with HapagLloyd in Dubai, the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, where she added to her repertoire in the maritime sector, gaining international experience and working with diverse set of clients, colleagues and crewing teams.

Karen now has diversified knowledge of the maritime industry with experience spanning crew and the industry. But her dexterity on ship management within the offshore, harbor/towage services the job made them think she was and container sectors in Africa, Middle East and Asia. She really great on the job. holds an MBA in Ship Management and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Maritime Law at the University of London.

A client she came in contact with Karen is not done yet as she still has her eyes on leadership thought she could do much more training at Harvard. Currently, she is the Director, Crew for them on a global scale than she was doing in Nigeria, and recruited Management and Training at Hapag-Llyod.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

D

r. Amy Jadesimi is the CEO of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base.

An Oxford-trained medical doctor, Amy worked at Goldman Sachs where she acquired experience in investment banking which fired her to pursue an MBA at Stanford Graduate School of Business before returning to Nigeria to join her family business.

Dr. Jadesimi's exploits in business management, maritime, oil and gas logistics and engineering have earned her international accolades and recognition. She was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013, and in 2014 one of Forbes' “Youngest Power Women in Africa”. Forbes also listed her as one of World's Top 50 Women in Tech. 2018. In 2012, she was honoured with an Archbishop Tutu Fellow, where she worked to reduce maternal mortality.

Amy Jadesimi Dr. Jadesimi's exploits in business management, maritime, oil and gas logistics and engineering have earned her international accolades and recognition. She was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013, and in 2014 one of Forbes' “Youngest Power Women in Africa”. Forbes also listed her as one of World's Top 50 Women in Tech. 2018.

She has featured in many global platforms, discussing world economy and African economic growth. She was a guest panelist at the London Business School African Summit where she spoke on integration and growth on the continent. Parallel to the events, Amy took part initialing an art collaboration piece called “Remember to Rise”. She also featured at this year's, Global Female Leaders 2019, the economic forum for world female executives.

Amy has a passion to develop strategic infrastructure that will enable African countries to become leading global economies.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Mariam

Afolabi

M

ariam Abiola Afolabi is the Group Executive Director, Compliance of Sifax Group, an indigenous maritime giant. Mariam, who is daughter of the company's founder and CEO, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, is a Solicitor and Advocate of the Nigerian Supreme Court.

Olanipekun & Co, Kunle Ogunba & Co, Aluko & Oyebode, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), SIFAX Shipping Company Limited and Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA).

She is a graduate of Law from the University of Warwick, Coventry, England and also obtained a Post Graduate degree (LLM with distinction) in International Maritime Law from the IMO International Maritime Law Institute, Malta.

Her appointment as Group Executive Director, SIFAX Group, was to harness her rich professional experience and bring it to bear on the operations of the company which had just undergone operational restructuring geared towards repositioning for better service delivery and corporate reengineering.

Mariam's tutelage and professional experience has spanned various tested legal firms, maritime and aviation companies like Kayode Sofola & Co, Wole

Mariam Afolabi, whose hobbies include reading, writing, hiking and drawing, is also a fashion enthusiast.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Noimoth Akasar

N

oimoth Akasar is a young, passionate seafarer and b u s i n e s s d ev e l o p m e n t expert in the marine, oil and gas business sector. She is currently the Business Development Manager of N i ge rd o c k F Z E , wh e re s h e i s assisting the Shipyard in revo l u t i o n i z i n g t h e b u s i n e s s development arm of the company, thereby boosting cash flow and company client base.

Noimoth built her career from the scratch having worked as deck cadet trainee onboard all Nigerdock FZE passenger boats and RORO barges. From there, she trained as Boat Captain, conveying passengers and Cargoes on inland waterways.

She later became the Mar ine I n t e r f a c e O f f i c e r f o r P ro j e c t Management from Jan 11 2018- April 3, 2018, interfacing with clients on all maritime related issues.

She was elevated to Business Development Account Officer for

the shipyard (April 3-Feb 24, 2019), . where she was expected to support Noimoth is committed to building and build the company's market her career on four cardinal pillars position by locating, developing, o f i n t e g r i t y , c o n f i d e n c e , defining and closing business accountability and re l a t i o n s h i p s t h a t innovation, and aspires deliver significant to continue with business growth. organizations H a v i n g that value Noimoth Akasan is a young, performed professionali passionate seafarer and creditably, s m a n d business development expert in she was these four the marine, oil and gas business promoted cardinal sector. She is currently the Business t o pillars.

Business Development Manager of Nigerdock Developm She holds FZE, where she is assisting the e n t a Master's Shipyard in revolutionizing the Manager Degree in business development arm of the f o r t h e Maritime company, thereby boosting cash shipyard Transport from 25th Management ow and company client base.

February 2019 f ro m L a d o ke till date.

A k i n t o l a University of She is a member of Technology, Ogbomosho, Women's International Shipping & Oyo State; Post Graduate Diploma T ra d i n g A s s o c i a t i o n ( W I S TA i n M a r i t i m e T r a n s p o r t International) Management, Ladoke Akintola U n i v e r s i t y o f T e c h n o l o g y, Ogbomosho, Oyo State and Higher National Diploma in Shipping and Por ts Management, Cer tif ied Institute of Shipping, Magbon, Badagry, as well as a National Diploma in Nautical Sciences from the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Wilmot Point Rd,VictoriaIsland, Lagos.

Noimoth has also undergone a series of professional training and certifications, including P ro f e s s i o n a l C e r t i f i c a t i o n i n Winning New Customers through Va l u e A d d e d M a r k e t i n g , Association of Automobile, Boatyard, Transport, Equipment & A l l i e d E m p l oye r s o f N i g e r i a (AABTEAEN), River Master - Inland Water Craft & Ratings, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Quarter Master, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and Leadership Training, Citizenship and Leadership Training Center, Sea School Apapa, Lagos etc.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Obiageli Obi

she brought her vast knowledge in transport/logistics to bear on the company's revenue generation by driving company's target through the heads of subsidiaries, and re-positioning the HR department to focus on achieving the company's targets.

She was the Managing Director/CEOof Zebulon Trade and Logistics Ltd from January 2010 –August 2016, providing innovative, timely and cost efficient ship operation services at competitive prices to shipping companies and other maritime agencies in Nigeria and the Western Sub-Sahara.

O

biageli Obi is the present D i re c t o r G e n e ra l , Nigerian Chamber of Shipping.A highly experienced a n d re s u l t s - o r i e n t e d L e ga l Practitioner with over 20 years of successful experience in Maritime and Commercial Law practice, Obiageli has a flair for addressing operational issues, resolving perf ormance b o t t l e n e c k s a n d a c h i ev i n g desired objectives.

Obby found herself in the maritime sector by chance.

She did not know she belonged to the sector until somebody saw her at an event and hired her to run a shipping company at a very high level. The person trusted me with the job, and she learnt on the job; and she loved the sector.

Ms. Obi has a chartering and commercial experience and a substantial knowledge of global perspectives of shipping operations and management. She i s we l l ve r s e d i n s h i p p i n g o p e r a t i o n s f o r outbound/inbound cargo across international and local trade lanes. She is an enterprising leader with proven record of success in people management and leadership.

A charming lady with executive presence, Obbyhas managed business relationships at the executive level in Nigeria and globally, demonstrating capacity to influence senior executives through strength of ideas and a t t ra c t ive p e r s o n a l i t y. S h e possesses a solid judgement, a passion and understanding of the oil tanker market and ship owner environment.

Obby has worked with Chisco G ro u p a s G ro u p M a n a g i n g Consultant (2016-2017) where

Within the same period, (20102014) she was Executive Director, Eric and Gayle Consulting, Lagos, a firm that provides professional service in the area of specialized training and human capacity development, and Consultants to the Niger ian Chamber of Shipping.

At the same time, she worked p a r t - t i m e a n d i n vo l u n t a r y c a p a c i t y a s t h e E xe c u t i v e Director, Women in Politics and G ove r n m e n t , a n o n - p ro f i t organization which seeks to p rov i d e a p l a t f o r m f o r t h e enhancement of women's fullparticipation in politics and governance in Nigeria.

Ms. Obi has LLB, BL degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

She attended Queens School Enugu for her West African School Certificate (WASC).She is a C h a r t e re d M e m b e r, T h e Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.

O bby f o u n d h e r s e l f i n t h e maritime sector by chance. She did not know she belonged to the sector until somebody saw her at an event and hired her to run a shipping company at a very high level. The person trusted me with the job, and she learnt on the job; and she loved the sector.

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TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Affiong Ibanga In May 2018, AfďŹ ong was appointed a member of Advisory Board of the USANigeria Trade Council, United States of America (USA), where she is expected to provide leadership and overall guidance and direction in the programmes, policy and strategic efforts to improve trade trafďŹ c between the USA and Nigeria.

M

rs. Affiong Ibanga is the Vice Chairman of AML Bonded Terminal. She is also the Treasurer of the African Women in Maritime (WIMA) Nigeria and a member of the Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria. Affi has more than 18 years of experience in international trade and operations and over 12 years in shipping and logistics. She has many admirable qualities such as her exceptional simplicity, humility, loyalty and diligence at work.

In May 2018, Affiong was appointed a member of Advisory Board of the USA-Nigeria Trade Council, United States of America (USA), where she is expected to provide leadership and overall guidance and direction in the programmes, policy and strategic efforts to improve trade traffic between the USA and Nigeria.

Affi is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Shipping (FCIS), and the Vice-Chairperson of

AML Bonded Terminal (Advanced Motors and Logistics Limited), a leading freight forwarder, export/import services, shipping agency and bonded terminal operator. She is also the Chief Executive Officer of AML Farms and Industries Limited.

She holds a Master's degree in Transport Management (MTM), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Logistics (PGD) from the same institution. She is also a graduate of Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta Georgia, USA. Affi belongs to several associations both nationally and internationally, including the Chartered Institute of Shipping (CIS), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Women in Shipping and Trade Association (WISTA) Nigeria as well as the Africa Women in Maritime (WIMA). She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of A-smile Initiative and Empowerment Foundation, (Georgia, USA and Nigeria).

Ships & Ports | 84

TOP MARITIME WOMEN IN NIGERIA

Folake Soji-George

F

olake Oladapo Soji-George is the Chairperson, Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT). She holds a Bachelor's degree in Russian languages and a Master's degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.

She started business as an entrepreneur in 1991 and has since then established and registered three contracting business ventures, which specialize in logistics and haulage, including Al – Hadiat Nigeria Limited co-established with her friend Bolanle Jaji.

Folake is a highly determined and persistent person who derives pleasure in actualizing

whatever dreams she set out to achieve. In the haulage industry, she has distinguished herself and made landmark achievement which led to her appointment as the first female President of the Corporate Fleet Truck Owners Association.

As the President of the association, she has contributed immensely towards the restoration of sanity on Lagos ports access roads, by ensuring that trucks belonging to her members are not parked on the roads to constitute nuisance to other road users.

She has been recognized by stakeholders in the haulage industry with numerous awards to her honour.

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Women

Fitness 1 Get Massages Regularly As if you needed an excuse to hit up the spa, right? Since stress has so many negative effects on the body—from anxiety and depression to strokes and heart attacks—you have to take every opportunity you can to lower your levels, and getting a massage is a great way to do it.

Relieving that tension is great for both your mental and physical health, keeping you feeling strong as you age.

physical. It won't take long to notice a difference in how you feel, even after a few days.

3 Take Workout Classes Some people aren't gym people, and that's OK—but before you give up on the whole exercise thing, try workout classes instead. There are plenty of different options with different intensity levels and vibes, and you can keep checking them off your list until you find something you love.

4 Take a Walk

2 Get a Gym Membership You've been telling yourself you need to get a gym membership for years—so what are you waiting for?

When you put your money down on something, you're more likely to use it.

And, heading to the gym every day is great for your health, both mental and

There are so many benefits to walking it's almost hard to count.

Moving around is so much better for your health compared to being stuck at a desk all day, and even a 10-minute stroll has been shown to give you a great energy boost for up to two hours afterward.

(Best work break ever!)

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Women Fitness

5 Sit Up Straight Posture doesn't seem like a big deal, but it actually affects your health more than you might think. Not only does sitting up straight or standing with confidence make you feel really good, but according to the Mayo Clinic, proper body alignment can also help prevent strain on your spine, muscles, and joints. And that could help prevent any injuries from happening in the future.

6 Get a Proper Amount of Sleep Sleep is something you should never skimp on when it comes to your health. A lack of sleep can make you feel drowsy, irritable, mess with your memory, and even change your personality—yeah, it's powerful stuff.

Set a bedtime every night and stick to it to ensure you're your healthiest self.

7 Stretch Regularly Stretching might seem like a waste of time, but give it a chance—it could make a big difference in your well-being.

According to Harvard Medical School, it keeps your body strong and flexible, increasing your range of motion. Not only does that help prevent injuries, but it also leads to healthier joints and muscles. So the next time your favorite show is on, get off the couch and stretch it out on the floor instead.

8 Do Pilates While yoga is a great exercise option, Pilates is a winner too when it comes to your health. The workout focuses on proper breathing, keeps your spine and pelvis aligned, and tones your body through smooth, flowing movements. It's a great way to get your heart rate up and relieve some stress at the same time.

9 Don't Sit Too Much During the Day If you have a desk job, it's not uncommon to plop down in your seat and stay there most of the day. But there's a reason to make it a point to get on your feet. Stretching and walking around gets your blood flowing, and that leads to making you feel more energized. Plus, on top of that, your brain also gets a nice boost, making you more creative and be able to think more clearly.

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It was a tough battle but I thank God, the men supported my coming on board. I also have the women that stood

“I don't feel intimidated�

C

omrade Funmilola Fasan has been a unionist for over 20 years and she is currently the Vice President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

She is also the Financial Secretary, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Women's Committee L a go s C h ap t e r. I n t h i s i n t e r v i e w w i t h Shulammite 'Foyeku, she said her passion for speaking for the voiceless spurred her into unionism.

Excerpts: Can you give a brief background of yourself and how you joined the maritime workers union?

I was born in Lagos some 50 years ago, and married with two children. I graduated from Yaba College of Technology where I studied Accounting. Firstly, I found myself in the industry because I needed a job.

I have an uncle who was then a Customs officer; he helped me secure a job at one of the shipping companies. Thereafter, I worked with Comet Shipping Agency and currently Five Star Logistics where I work in the operations department. I joined the union because I worked with a shipping company.You cannot be in the union without having

a job or a background in the maritime industry. It was from the company I worked with that I joined the in-house union before I rose to become a district woman representative.

Is becoming a union leader a deliberate choice or you just find yourself there?

I did not just find myself in the union. I am there because I choose to speak for people. It is an interest I have to represent the voiceless.

How has it been rising from when you started as a woman representative to becoming the Vice President General of the union?

It has not been very easy. From the district, I rose to become the women representative of shipping branch of the union. It was a tough battle but I thank God, the men supported my coming on board. I also have the women that stood by me. From then, I rose to the national trustee of the union before becoming the Vice President General. It has not been a smooth sail, it has really been tough. When I feel it is so tough for me to carry on, I call them and they keep supporting and assuring me of their support and they have been always there.

Ships & Ports | 88

they believe if they can do it, women can do it. I believe if it is time, or interest of being there, they will give the support. I believe what a man can do a woman can also do better. The men will only succeed, if the women support them, so it is viceversa; when the men also support What are hobbies?

I like shopping. I don't get tired of women, they will succeed in any getting new and beautiful things. I position they find themselves.

T his year, the Inter national also like reading and dancing.

Maritime Organization (IMO), is Have you had any background Do you have any unique trait, focusing on empowering women being a unionist prior to joining something that differentiates in the maritime community. As a the maritime workers union, you from others? woman leader, what message do perhaps while in school?

I am a normal person. I don't think I you have for young women who No, I never had any. I started while have anything special. But what I are aspiring to take up leadership I was working. know people do tell me is that I position? always stand by people when My advice to f ellow women What operational challenges do there are issues even in NLC or ITF. aspiring for leadership role is that you face in the course of your So they believe I can speak on they should not be too anxious to make quick money. Let them start duty as an employee? their behalf. from the scratch and be patient.

It is the Apapa gridlock. As a unionist, I believe I still have to be at How do you relax outside your They should be bold to ask questions. When they do that, the work despite the fact that I do have work environment? meetings here and then even outside I like staying in door with my sky will not limit them. They Lagos. I do my work in the office and family. If I am not reading, I will should be courageous because I when it's time for union work, I am watch Television. I also like k n ow t h a t m o re wo m e n a re coming on board now. In the past, always there too. So I combine both. travelling. you hardly see a woman that wants My management also supports me because they know my position in the Are you aspiring to the position to join the union in my company union. But it has not really been easy of President General of the but I tell you, the last unit election that we had, about five women getting to work because of the union some day? gridlock on the access road. I have Yes, if I am giving the opportunity came out to contest. So it means situations where some of my as a woman, I would love to. The they are getting aware of what is colleagues' have died due to men have been supporting and happening around.

The maritime workers union is male-dominated. Don't you sometimes feel intimidated being in the midst of men engaging in union activities?

The union is gender sensitive.

They don't believe it has to be men a l l t h ro u g h . S o I d o n ' t f e e l intimidated.When I look back and see the men behind me, I am always assured of their support and they believe women can do it.

accidents on the road.

Do you have any challenges while growing up?

I am the first child of my parent so I enjoyed all the attention I needed.

I re a l l y d o n o t h a v e m u c h challenges growing up.

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How INTELS is empowering Nigerian women through WEPSS

“I don't see how anybody can stop any woman from being who she wants to be” Mrs. Funke Agbor, leading maritime lawyer and arbitrator, and first female maritime lawyer in the country to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, spoke with Ships & Ports on becoming a SAN. The interview was first published in September 2016.

Excerpts: Congratulations on your elevation as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). How does it feel?

It actually feels really good. I didn't think it will feel as good as that but it actually does. First of all, I didn't aspire to it as early as I could have and when I did start working towards it; it seems like an endless road and in fact when my name was published in the newspaper as one of those to be

conferred – from 4th of July when the names were published to 19th of September (2016), which was the conferment ceremony day – I kept wondering if it would actually happen but it was a wonderful ceremony and I really give God the glory. It was an amazing day for me and I am really proud to be a SAN. A lot of people said you were long overdue for it. Why didn't you pursue it early?

My focus was really on the practice of law. It was not something that was in my consciousness. I never considered myself as somebody who would be a SAN and it was not something I aspired for. I think this is as a result of a bit of my background. Well as we say, God's time is the best and I think now is the right time for me.

Can you give us more insight into your background?

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“I don't see how anybody can stop any woman from being who she wants to be”

You are the first female maritime lawyer that has attained this height. What do you think is the significance of this to the women folk who mostly look up to people like you for inspiration?

I actually never thought of it like that as the first female maritime lawyer. I think as of when the last Senior Advocates were appointed, I think the women were like 19 or 20, now in the entire country and we have over 400. Well the route for women is quite different in the sense that I guess we have other

responsibilities that we have to take side by side with having this kind of aspiration. In terms of significance, I think it is good because the maritime sector is an important sector of the economy and for me; it is a sector of the economy that I don't think the government has fully appreciated. I think it has been so difficult for them to put the right people to actually drive the Nigerian economy through the

“

You can be a wife, mother, having a home to look after and at the same time have a career and be successful at it.

“

When I started practice, I was working with Mr. Fola Sasegbon of blessed memory. He was a wonderful mentor to me and he was an activist in his years. I think he was the first or one of the earliest secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association. When the issue of QCs and Senior Advocates came about, he didn't believe that you should apply. He thought that you should be invited and I think around that time in the UK, you needed to be invited to become a QC. With that sort of background, it was not something I felt was appropriate at that time because I was influenced in a way by him which was okay; I could understand where he was coming from, so I never really thought about it much. I was with him from 1985 to 1993 when I joined this law firm: Adepetu, Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun (ACAS) Law in 1993 and after a few years, it was like maybe I should actually consider it. At that time I must have been how many years at the bar because I was called to bar in 1982. So it was not something that was in my consciousness and it was not until 2005 that it occurred to me to work towards it and of course my partners felt I should apply and they encouraged me to do that and 10 to 11 years later, here I am.

maritime sector. At the moment, what we are having as maritime or what we describe as maritime really that is even providing any real economic benefit for the country is the oil and gas sector and that is offshore oil trading and because offshore oil and gas sector requires maritime transportation, that is where we are getting the benefits at the moment, which is also part of the maritime sector and is very key.

So, that is why we have NIMASA for instance, which is the maritime sector's regulator and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board which is the oil and gas regulator working hand in hand obviously with the maritime sector.

In terms of what being the first female maritime lawyer to be a SAN and how that impacts on

other women who are aspiring to higher positions – so to speak – I think it will certainly be a kind of encouragement to them knowing that these things can actually happen. You can be a wife, mother, having a home to look after and at the same time have a career and be successful at it. You can't benchmark yourself against men who are about the same age with you because if you do that, you are looking for disappointments. What I tell people especially young women is that there is no rush.

Sometimes you find women who are actually coming to their own after the children have gone to the university and if you go to school early, you finish first degree at 21/22, you do your Masters degree and you are in the workplace at age 25. You work for 10 to 20 years till about 45. By that time, your children should be grown so that at that age, you can actually kick start your race properly and you will still catch up and mind you, you are not catching up with anybody because there is no race. People will be wondering, how did you do it but you have to be focused. I encourage people not to compare themselves with men, especially women.

Are you satisfied with the representation of women in the shipping sector in terms of appointments into boards etc?

I don't really have real insight into some of these things in terms of corporate bodies and representation of women but I think there are quite a few women in position of authority in the sector. There are people who are there quietly doing their jobs.

I think the opportunities are always there. It is just for people to want to aspire to those positions of responsibility and work towards it. I don't see how anybody can stop any woman from being who she wants to be.

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When womanhood and duty meet the law

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arola Rackete and Pia Klemp are two German ship captains who are demonstrating to the world what it means to be a woman. These are women who see themselves for what they are –women, God's vessels to bring life to the world and nurture it. They see life as sacred, the n a t i o n a l i t y, r a c e , t r i b e o r re l i g i o n notwithstanding. Hence they cannot stand and watch life being wasted at sea –call them illegal migrants or anything.

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aptain Carola Racketeis a German ship captain who works for the German sea rescue organization, SeaWatch.In June of 2019, she was arrested for docking a migrant rescue ship, Sea Watch 3, without authorization in the port of Lampedusa, Italy. Carola defied Italian authorities by rescuing more than 40 migrants off the coast of Libya and ramming her way into a port on the Italian island of Lampedusa.

On coming face to face with the law, they chose womanhood and duty in defiance of the law, putting humanity before the law. Despite the law criminalizing humanitarian activities on the Mediterranean Sea, Carola and Pia have been rescuing migrants on the Mediterranean Sea. As a result, they found themselves in trouble with government authorities.

As we mark this year's World Maritime Day, we remember and celebrate these two heroines.

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people on to dry land.

She said she disobeyed orders because some migrants had started self-harming and she was afraid the worsening situation after days at sea could "lead to suicides".

In the process, her ship hit Italian police speed boat. She was subsequently arrested and charged with human smuggling.

On 12 June, Ms Rackete's ship rescued 53 migrants who were drifting on an inflatable raft in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Libya.

Despite Italian authorities later permitting 13 people to disembark on health reasons, it led to a two-week stand-off as Rackete sought to get the remaining passengers to safety.

She refused to obey a military vessel and navigated towards Italy's Lampedusa Island, a move which led to her arrest.

C a p t a i n C a ro l a R a c ke t e ' s a r re s t s e n t shockwaves through Europe and across the world, with many high-ranking politicians in the EU praising her actions while others believe she broke the law.Her action also caused tension between Germany and Italy.

Though she was released after a few days in detention, she is still facing an Italian investigation on allegations of aiding and abetting illegal immigration and entering Italian waters in violation of the ban on rescue ships from entering Italy's ports.

A f t e r h e r a r re s t , h e r s u p p o r t e r s h a d immediately rallied around her cause and raised over €1 million within a few days to assist her in the weeks and months ahead with covering potential legal costs she may incur, as she could theoretically face a decade in prison if convicted.

Rackete said she had to defy the ban and dock the ship because she had no choice. She was aware that entering Italian waters risked serious consequences, but said her decision was "not an act of violence" but simply an attempt to get "exhausted and desperate"

Capt. Rackete said she had not meant to put anyone in danger and had made an "error of judgement" when calculating the position of the police speedboat that she rammed into while docking.

This month she was awarded the prestigious "Gold Medal of Honour" from the Catalan Regional Parliament for her rescue missions.

While receiving the award, Carola said, "I am still under investigation by the Italian authorities but am I worried? Honestly, no, because my actions were justified. What I am worried about are the injustices of this world fuelled by growth-based economic system and political power structures rooted in colonial times.”

She received this award having rejected in August Paris's highest civilian award, accusing the city of hypocrisy.

The 31 year-old is determined to continue rescuing people in need: "I see a very, very urgent need to act, because people are losing their lives every week in the Mediterranean Sea, which I see as our common European border. So protecting them, I think, is a duty of European citizens," she said.

Rackete criticized the European Union for what she described as “building border walls in the sea," urging the EU to agree on a policy for resettling migrants throughout the bloc.

Capt. Carola Rackete, “the "rich, white, German woman" as she is called has a nautical degree and studied environmental sciences in the UK. She has taken part in expeditions, both for research organizations and for the environmental group Greenpeace.

S h e l a t e r j o i n e d S e a - Wa t c h , a n o n governmental association that carries out rescue missions in the Mediterranean.

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When Womanhood and Duty meet the Law

She told a Swiss newspaper, “We have only followed international law, especially the law of the sea, where the highest priority is to save people from distress.The rescue is criminalized. We are already paralyzed. And that's why people are dying on the Mediterranean.”

Pia Klemp

apt. Pia Klemp is another German woman who has been facing the full brunt of the Italian law. She also defiedthe immigration laws and orders under the leadership of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Her case is even more serious than that of Rackete, as she faces up to 20 years in prison for personally helping to rescue at least 1,000 migrants at sea.

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Capt. Klemp holds the European Union equally responsible for the changing rhetoric against migrants in Italy and elsewhere. In an editorial in Newsweek magazine published in June 2019, Klemp wrote that such attempts at criminalizing acts of solidarity with migrants trying to come to Europe "demonstrated the lengths to which the European Union will go to make migrants' lives expendable.”

Klemp was the captain of the Luventa sea vessel, which scoured the Mediterranean in 2016 and 2017 in search of migrants at risk of drowning. The boat was seized in August 2017, and charges were filed against her a year later, with allegations including cooperation with migrant smugglers and encouraging illegal immigration.

"The ensuing media and political campaign against us has gradually succeeded in removing almost all NGOs from the central Mediterranean, leaving migrants braving the sea crossing with little chance of survival. The transformation of the Mediterranean into a mass grave for migrants is a European political project," she wrote in the editorial.

Though she is well-known among migrant supporters, herarrest received somewhat less coverage than Rackete's, probably because Rackete's arrest took place against the backdrop of Italy's Interior Minister Salvini's tightening grip on immigration with his "closed-ports" policy.

Last August Pia Klemp refused to accept a medal for bravery from Paris' mayor, saying, "We do not need authorities deciding about who is a 'hero' and who is 'illegal'.”

Salvini was the Federal Secretary of the populist Northern League Party as well as the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy when Rackete was arrested, and went as far as saying that Rackete's defiance of his orders was "a criminal act and an act of war" by a "pirate ship." But he did not hold any public office when charges were brought against Pia Klemp and thus may have had less opportunity to use her arrest and trial for publicity purposes.

Klemp announced that she was rejecting the Grand Vermeil Medal, which the city of Paris awards for bravery. She told Mayor Anne Hidalgo that the city was brimming with hypocrisy.

"Your police steal blankets from people that you force to live on the streets, while you raid protests and criminalize people that are standing up for rights of migrants and asylum seekers. ...You want to give me a medal for actions that you fight in your own ramparts," Klemp wrote in the scathing post.

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"It is time we call out hypocrite honorings and fill the void with social justice," she said. We do not need authorities deciding about who is a 'hero' and who is 'illegal,'"she said. "In fact, they are in no position to make this call, because we are all equal."

Klemp's refusal to accept the medal came on the heels of a 19-day standoff between a Spanish rescue ship, Open Arms, and the Italian government. An Italian court had ordered the seizure of the ship and the evacuation of everyone onboard on Lampedusa.

Five countries belonging to the European Union agreed to accept the migrants.

imprisonment and horrendous fines,” she said.“We are facing a year-long show trial. The legal and legal costs alone will amount to over 300,000 euros (£266,000) plus travel and campaign costs.”

She regretted that the worst thing about the episode was that the money for her defence - partly raised through donations - could have been used on rescue missions.

Klemp's Luventa, formerly a fishing vessel, is estimated to have saved 14,000 people.

Klemp has the support of more than 85,000 people who have signed a petition urging Italy to drop the charges.The author of the petition, Hannes Seidel, wrote that charging Ms Klemp and fellow members o f p r iv a t e re s c u e s h i p s wo u l d m e a n t h e “unconditional surrender of humanity in Europe”.

Capt. Klemp, 35, who was hailed as a life-saving humanitarian in June said she was now prepared for a long and expensive legal battle.

“This is an injustice to all the people in need who, out of desperation, flee across the Mediterranean Sea and risk their lives.”

Italian authorities allege that she and her colleagues colluded with smugglers to collect m i g ra n t s a t re n d e z vo u s p o i n t s o n t h e Mediterranean Sea and “stage” rescues.

Pia Klemp is an activist, a biologist, and a ship captain. She is from Bonn, Germany. She fell in love with the ocean after working as a Dive Instructor around coral reefs. She says that's also when she came to realize that the oceans are at risk because of pollution and over-fishing. Klemp says that she decided to go into ocean conservation after witnessing the destruction of the ocean.

She denied any criminal wrongdoing and has vowed to fight her prosecution all the way to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.

She told a Swiss newspaper,“We have only followed international law, especially the law of the sea, where the highest priority is to save people from distress.The rescue is criminalized. We are already paralyzed. And that's why people are dying on the Mediterranean.”

“We are accused of aiding and abetting illegal entry,” she explained. “On it stands up to 20 years

She joined the Sea Shepherd, an international marine wildlife conservation organization, because she wanted to protect the ocean against what she sees as humanity's greed and destructiveness. Sea Shepherd uses what it calls “innovative directaction tactics” to combat illegal activities on the high seas. Explaining why she joined Sea Shepherd: “The complexity and beauty of life, plant or animal, deeply fascinates me. I worked as a dive instructor around some of the most amazing reefs, loving the ocean more with every dive. At the same time it became evident to me how pollution is destroying the underwater habitats, how many marine species are endangered, how blinded by greed we are: fishing, trawling, killing until extinction; how much coral is dying and how little is happening to stop this mass destruction. The more I've seen and learned the greater my urge to protect the seas has become.

After some conservation projects in Germany, Thailand and Indonesia, I joined the Sea Shepherd ships 1.5 years ago.”

This sentiment, Klemp has extended to the rescue of human lives, saying rescuing drowning people is the duty of every captain. “For every captain this is the duty,” she told Sea Watch. “Apart from that it should be self-understandable for overprivileged Europeans like us.”

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Nigeria’s renewed interest in IMO Council seat

By Enyeribe Anyanwu

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ne of Aesop’s famous fables tells the story of a hungry fox who strolled into a vineyard and saw a lush bunch of grapes hanging from a tree. He jumped as far as he could, but the grapes were out of his reach. Even with a running start, he could not grab the juicy grapes.

Frustrated, the fox slinked away, muttering that he was sure the grapes were sour anyway.

This was the case of Nigeria when it reached out for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council seat in 2011, and came back empty and frustrated. Before then, Nigeria was a Council member in Category ‘C’. Over-confidence, levity and dependence on lobbying with Nigeria’s resources instead of fulfilling IMO’s conditions robbed the country the seat which it had sought to reclaim.

Those were the days of Ziakede Patrick Akpobolekemi in NIMASA. In 2011, Akpobolekemi and the Transport Minister then had led the motley crowd of Nigerians that usually attended the biennial IMO gathering of maritime nations to London to seek Nigeria’s re-election. They failed.

Nigeria failed. And after they came back shamefaced, Akpobolekemi started to question the importance of the IMO Council seat to Nigeria. In 2013, Nigeria did not participate in the election, as Akpobolokemi decided that Nigeria did not need it, and never went for it again until he was shoved out of NIMASA. His argument echoed by his lieutenants was:

“We spend millions of naira every two years in the name of campaigning for the IMO Council seat, and the current management of NIMASA is of the opinion that such money could be better spent by channeling it into the development of the local shipping industry.

“The current leadership does not believe in jamboree. We believe in practical development of the shipping sector and that is why we are not contesting this time around.” They maintained the same stance in 2015.

But his successor, Dr. Dakuku Peterside did not see the IMO Council seat as a sour grape for Nigeria – the same with the current Minister of Transportation. Both of them truly understand the significance and benefits of Nigeria being part of the IMO governing Council hence they went for it in 2017. Though Nigeria lost again, that has not dampened the fighting spirit of the duo.

Once again, the IMO general assembly is approaching. Nigeria is warming up again to stake a claim to Category ‘C’ Council seat. Industry operators are optimistic that this time, Nigeria will not fail in its bid to be re-elected into the Council considering the support of President Mohammadu Buhari is giving the project and the efforts so far made in putting the nation’s maritime ‘house’ in order. The prayer is that at the end of the IMO regular assembly and council elections come November, Nigeria will come back rejoicing as it did in 2007 under Dr. Ade Dosunmu.

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Female practitioners and the Apapa gridlock

By Shulammite 'Foyeku

I

t has never been easy for women to juggle a thriving career and a happy family life. Most women today scramble to run two lives, one at home and one at work. They want to be good wives and mothers but they also want to be intellectually stimulated by a challenging career or at least bring in a second income to help their households get by.

For female practitioners in the maritime industry, especially those who work in the port city of Apapa, the challenge of balancing career and family is more overwhelming as they also contend with the unrelenting Apapa gridlock commuting to work daily.

Coping through these challenges, female practitioners in the industry have remained resolute, giving in their best at their various establishments

including public and private organizations with even some rising through to the top of their careers.

To lessen the burden of these career women, government agencies and some private organizations have put in place several initiatives to encourage and motivate them.

Managing Director, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, a gender activist, last year commissioned a crèche facility for nursing mothers that work at the Lagos Port Complex Apapa as part of effort to help them to be more productive at work while coping with the gridlock and managing the home front.

The crèche is the brainchild of the former Port Manager of the Apapa Port and current General

Manager Operations of NPA, Aisha Ali-Ibrahim.

While the government has taken steps to address the traffic congestion along the port access roads and its environs; there is no better time than now to hasten the completion of the ongoing construction along the roads especially the Tin CanMile 2 road to alleviate the sufferings of these committed female workers.

Government's effort to ensure the evacuation of cargo from the port by barges and rail are also well noted. One cannot but commend the Federal Government for its commitment, while also requesting for expedited action to ameliorate the challenges faced by women who go to work in Apapa daily.

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