- Seafarers are pioneers of Marine Environment protection – Anyika
The Women in Maritime and Energy Awards (WiME) joined in the celebration of world seafarers yesterday, even as it described the professionals as pioneers of Marine Environment protection.
WiME is a group that stands at the forefront of efforts to bridge the gender gap in the maritime and energy sectors, promoting diversity and inclusion.
In a press statement issued by the Chairperson, Women in Maritime and Energy Awards, Mrs. Chizoba Anyika, the group commemorated on the important day and reaffirmed its dedication to fostering an environment where women can thrive and lead in maritime and energy sectors.
“Today, we join the global maritime community in celebrating World Seafarers Day, recognizing the invaluable contributions of seafarers worldwide. This year’s theme, “Navigating the future: safety first!” highlights the critical role that seafarers play in protecting the marine environment and underscores the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) longstanding commitment to ensuring utmost safety in our marine environment.”
“Seafarers are at the heart of global trade, ensuring the safe and efficient transport of goods across the world’s oceans. Their role in implementing the global best practices of safety is essential to the ongoing efforts to safeguard our marine environment from mishaps and accidents.”
“In line with the day’s theme, WiME recognizes and applauds the efforts of female seafarers who contribute tirelessly to these goals. Their dedication and professionalism exemplify the spirit of the Day of the Seafarer. We encourage all stakeholders in the maritime and energy sectors to continue supporting initiatives that enhance gender equality and safety in the marine environment,” the statement read.
WiME, however, reiterated that it will continue to honor and support the contributions of women in these fields through awards and various initiatives with the believe that by empowering women, it can drive innovation and progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive maritime industry.
The Chairperson, Anyika, also stated that a seafarer is not defined by the many waters she has faired but in the many storms she has overcome.
“WiME supports them in their mission by acknowledging, recognizing and decorating the extraordinary females in the profession who keep our seas safe and ensure goods and services reach the consumers,” she posited.
She argued that optimizing the input of seafarers requires that the females who chose the professional should be encouraged, even as she stressed that their invaluable contributions cannot be over sung.
“We express our deepest gratitude to the Seafarers and commend the Director General/CEO Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola for championing the course of the seafarers by enhancing ship surveys, wreck removal, continuous capacity development, replacement of foreign seafarers with indigenous ones, training and retraining and upskilling of seafarers amongst others,” she added.
Observing that there is a significant gap in female representation, she called for the development of relevant policies to make the profession atractive to the females.
