The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has commended the contributions of Nigerian women to the development of the maritime sector.

Dr Mobereola gave the commendations during the 2024 commemoration of the International Day for Women in Maritime in Lagos.

Biztellers reports that some of the Associations that participated in the event with the theme “Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety” included the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), Women in Maritime (WIMA), Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), and Women in Maritime West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA).

The International Day for Women in Maritime is a significant day established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to honour and celebrate the invaluable contributions and resilience of women across various sectors of the maritime industry.

Dr. Mobereola, who was represented by the Agency’s Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Jibril Abba, informed the audience that the Agency appreciated the contributions of women to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.

He said, “Let me seize this opportunity to recognize and applaud the incredible achievements of women in maritime. From seafarers and ship captains to engineers and port operators, as well as maritime professionals and trailblazers, women have played a pivotal role in shaping the maritime industry and driving innovation and progress.

“Their dedication, resilience, and expertise have not only enriched our industry but also inspire a future generation of women to pursue careers in maritime.

“To all the women in maritime: Your contributions are vital, your voices are heard, and your achievements inspire us all. Together, we can harness the nation’s blue economy to build a more sustainable and prosperous maritime industry that benefits us all. Thank you for your dedication, passion, and commitment to a more inclusive maritime community.”

In her presentation, Director, Financial Services, NIMASA, Olamide Odusanya, appreciated the IMO for creating an inclusive and supportive environment to recognize women in maritime, in line with the provisions of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which is Gender Equality.

“It is clear the pivotal role of women in the maritime industry. Closing the gender gap, which is the SDG 5- Gender Equality, has been an internal quest of women folks since the industrial revolution, and one significant achievement has been made; we still have a long way towards achieving relative parity,” she said.

A paper presented by Gloria Anyasodo on “Emerging Trends: Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety and Opportunities for Women” emphasized that safety transcends gender. Therefore, women must cultivate competence through proper education, expertise, and mutual support to uplift one another.

Dr. Odunayo Ani the President of the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Mrs Rollens MacFoy, President of African Women in Maritime, Nigeria chapter, Princess Margaret Inam of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), Barrister Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore the National President of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) and Hon. Olaitan Williams, President Ocean Ambassadors Foundation all delivered goodwill messages at the event.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola has assured stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector of inclusivity, towards the development of the sector.

He made this assertion during an interactive session with maritime stakeholders in Lagos, where he also pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy had ureged stakeholders to partner with the Government in developing the sector.

Dr Mobereola said, “It is important that we develop clear objectives, goals, and strategies to advance the industry and align with the vision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

“While the Agency will continue to play its part in serving the industry, it is important that we all collaborate to achieve a sustainable maritime sector, as all efforts should be inclusive and collective.”

The Director General seized the opportunity to reassure shipowners on the Agency’s commitment to expediting the automation of the ship registry, a move, which would significantly boost shipping development in Nigeria by enhancing efficiency and streamlining processes.

Earlier in his, welcome address, Captain Iheanacho, a former Nigerian Minister of Interior and chairman of the occasion, expressed the industry’s delight at the appointment of Mobereola, whom he described as a seasoned and accomplished maritime professional.

He noted that Mobereola’s extensive experience and expertise will be invaluable in driving the administration and development of the Nigerian maritime industry forward.

He expressed optimism that under the current leadership of the Agency, Nigeria would make significant strides in promoting ship safety, shipping development, maritime security, and environmental sustainability in our waters.

He noted that Mobereola’s dedication to capacity building will undoubtedly position Nigeria as a key player in the global maritime industry.

He added that stakeholders are willing to collaborate with the DG to move the sector forward.

“We expect the DG to be fully aware of the impact of technological developments in the Marine and Blue Economy industry, to guide in the formulation of policies to be developed. We look forward to working together with you to address the challenges ahead and to seize the opportunities that lie before us”, Iheanacho said.

Captain Iheanacho acknowledged the hard work, resilience and determination of past Directors-General and other stakeholders who were present, noting that their commitments contributed to the robust framework from which the Agency and the maritime industry at large are benefiting.

In his presentation titled; Marine and Blue Economy: Navigating to the Promised Land, Dr. Akabogu, a maritime lawyer, proposed various reforms including policy and agenda verification, enhanced data and technology utilization, minimum industry standards, deliberate recruitment of professionals, empowerment protocols, development of standard shipping development courses, and accountability measures for NIMASA and the industry as a whole. He emphasized the need for routine meetings based on clear identifiable milestones to drive accountability and progress for the sector.

On her part, Princess Vicky Haastrup, the President of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), emphasized the critical importance of dockworkers in the industry. “Where there are no dockworkers, there are no ships”, she said.  Therefore, the training of dockworkers is very critical.

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the President General of the Nigerian Maritime Workers Union (MWUN), who supported Haastrup’s position, emphasized the importance of continually training dockworkers and ensuring a decent work agenda, in line with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

Alhaji Aminu Umar, who spoke on behalf of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, emphasized the need for further discussions and interactions regarding the International advancements in the maritime industry. He urged the Director-General to consider the independence of the Ship Registry as observed in other maritime countries.

The various women’s associations in the industry; WISTA, WIMOWCA, WILAT, who were represented by Mrs. Tosan Emore-Edodo advocated for increased participation of women in the industry and called for support in promoting advocacy efforts.

Past Directors General of NIMASA who attended the event; Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Architect Ferdinand Agu, Barrister Temisan Omatseye; as well as former Board Chairman of NIMASA, Tijjani Ramalan, all pledged their support for the current administration.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, was also present at the event, which had representation from the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Association of Master Mariners, Ship Building and Ship Repair Association, among others.

The Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez has congratulated the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

This was contained in a conveyance letter he personally signed, in which he acknowledged the strides of the Agency in building a robust maritime sector in Nigeria.

According to Dominguez, the IMO commends the significant effort, initiatives, and investment that Nigeria has made in strengthening its maritime institutions.

In the words of Dominguez, “the focus on strengthening maritime law enforcement and security architecture has been welcomed by seafarers and flag States. The Deep Blue project and the C4i Centre as well as maritime piracy laws under the SPOMO Act are just some of the many investments that have set a new gold standard in the region in maritime security capacity building.

“IMO has long supported the regional role of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct and its Member States in strengthening maritime security and law enforcement. In this respect, we have been greatly encouraged with the continuation of this regional ownership with the formation and work of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum and Shared Awareness and De-confliction (GoG-MCF/SHADE) in 2021”.

He commended the Agency’s partnership with the various regional bodies, and expressed readiness of the IMO to work with Nigeria and other member states on many maritime issues with the aim of jointly tackling these issues.

“NIMASA’s partnership with the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC) and the collaboration with the shipping industry, navies and the Yaoundé architecture has been instrumental in suppressing the threat of piracy to merchant vessels and seafarers in line with UN Security Council resolution 2634 (2022) on piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea and IMO Assembly resolution A.1159 (32).

“I look forward to working with you and your colleagues on many of the maritime issues that we are jointly tackling and hope to welcome you in person at the IMO,” he added.