- Ezeoke commends NPA, Shippers’ Council, others
By Deborah James
In line with its commitment to increase gender diversity and professional development for women in the maritime sector, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria opened its new secretariat in Lagos on Thursday.
At the event, which coincided with the 2023 end-of-year party of the association, the President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke thanked the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) led by Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko for the financial support in securing the new secretariat.
Ezeoke observed that with the new secretariat, WISTA Nigeria has improved its status having been squatting at the headquarters of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for 29 years.
Her words: “WISTA Nigeria now has a place to call it’s own and with the assistance of other stakeholders like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), some members of WISTA amongst others. We are excited to announce that WISTA Nigeria has a place of her own and it is my pleasure once again to welcome to the commissioning of this office.”
“As a member of WISTA International, which has presence in 59 countries, WISTA Nigeria implements its mission by increasing gender diversity and professional development for its members and building credibility that allows for exchange of experiences, information in maritime, trade and logistics sector.”
While commending NPA, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), among others for supporting WISTA Nigeria over the years, she stressed that the maritime industry has a lot to benefit from the improved collaboration of females professionals in the sector.
The WISTA Nigeria President also specially thanked past Executive Secretaries of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for accommodating WISTA Nigeria over the years, even as she expressed optimism that the Council’s management continues giving listening ears to the association.
Giving a recap of the year for the association, the former General Manager at NPA, expressed delight that WISTA participated in a number of conferences and partnered with other organisations during the year 2023.
“There was an establishment of the first ever maritime women network. It is expected that a positive outcome will come from this network, by uniting all maritime women association under one umbrella,” Ezeoke said.
Speaking on behalf of the NPA Managing Director, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinwe Nwokolo, assured that the Authority will continue its collaborations and support with WISTA Nigeria.
“I feel at home because this is women in shipping and trading. This afternoon I’m representing the NPA Managing Director, Mr Bello Koko, who is unavoidably absent. Nonetheless, because of his interest in what is going on here, he wanted to make sure that there’s NPA presence here.”
“I congratulate WISTA Nigeria on this big milestone, to have a place you can call your own. Th’s a sign that we are going higher and that you are getting established. I recognise the number of years that I have been here, but now that you have an office of your own. I’m sure you will be heard farther than you are being heard now. All the appeals that have been made, I heard every bit of them,” the NPA boss said.
The event was graced by several Nigerian maritime amazons including; the President of Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs. Funke Agbor (SAN); Principal Partner, Jean Chiazor and Partners, Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN); Vice President, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Ify Akerele; Chairperson, Zoe Maritime Resources, Barr. (Mrs.) Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore; among others.
