The President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Odunayo Ani, has underlined the need for ethical leadership across various subsets of the nation’s maritime sector to inspire stakeholders’ confidence.
Dr. Ani, who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ethics and Integrity Leadership Training for Port State Control officers in the Abuja MOU region, stressed that investors are more likely to put their money into a maritime sector that demonstrates ethical practices and integrity.
“Transparent operations and honest leadership build trust, attracting both domestic and foreign investments crucial for the growth of the Nigerian blue economy. Ethical leadership promotes a life of safety and security.”
“By prioritizing the well-being of crew members, passengers, and cargo, maritime leaders can significantly reduce accidents and incidents at sea, thereby protecting lives and assets,” the WISTA President remarked.
Ani, who is also a Deputy Director/ Head of Internal Audit at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), argued that leaders are not only judged by their accomplishments but also by the moral compass they follow.
However, she observed that work environments that prioritize ethics and integrity are more likely to help retain high employee morale, adding that this stability leads to a more experienced and dedicated workforce, contributing to overall sector productivity and growth.
She equally asserted that integrity in leadership helps to eliminate corrupt practices such as bribery and fraud, which can cause delays and increase operational costs.
Her words: “Streamlined operations contribute to higher efficiency and profitability for maritime businesses. Ethics and integrity responsiveness ensure that maritime professionals understand and adhere to national and international maritime regulations. This reduces the risk of legal issues and penalties, fostering a more stable and predictable business environment.”
“We, therefore, strongly believe that from this gathering, we will be better prepared with the tools and insights needed to navigate complex ethical challenges and inspire those we lead to uphold the highest standards of integrity.”
The event, organized by the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU) in collaboration with the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), was graced by maritime bigwigs including; NIMASA’s Executive Director, Operations, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Secretary General, Abuja MOU, Capt. Sunday Umoren; President, Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Capt. Tadjudeen Alao; President, WIMA Nigeria, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy; Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike; among others.
