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How we surmounted Lagos Port’s challenges — Ex Port manager

By Sulaimon Salau
04 June 2023   |   3:10 am
Encomiums were showered on the queen of seaports, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, as she bowed out of Lagos Port Complex (LPC) as the 26th Port Manager, after about four years of meritorious service.

Lagos Port

Encomiums were showered on the queen of seaports, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, as she bowed out of Lagos Port Complex (LPC) as the 26th Port Manager, after about four years of meritorious service.

Olotu, fondly referred to as the queen of seaports by her peers, has served as the longest port manager in the history of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with a total of seven years from Calabar port to LPC. She had earlier served as the Port Manager of Calabar Port complex for three years.

Olotu, while speaking at the valedictory session organised for her by NPA in Lagos, said that with a strong commitment to professionalism, the LPC was able to win the fight against corruption, improve trade facilitation and surmounted other challenges that hindered effective business activities in Apapa Port during her reign.

She said: “These four years at the premier port have been very memorable, fulfilling and fruitful for me. Our gains in LPC have been rewarding under God who has made everything beautiful in due time. Upon assumption of office four years ago, the challenges were quite enormous, but we were able to overcome all with a strong commitment to place premium on professionalism, by promoting personal values of integrity, hard work, firmness, fairness, friendliness, transparency, accountability and equity. “

On her achievements as Port Manager of LPC, she listed improving trade facilitation in a safe, secure and customer-friendly environment, zero tolerance for corruption, debt recovery, increased revenue generation, and collection, recognition of star performance of workers irrespective of cadre among others.

Other stakeholders including terminal operators, truck owners, shipping community commended Olotu for her work ethic and transforming the LPC cum the maritime industry.

In his goodwill message, the Port Manager, TinCan Port, Jubril Buba, said that Olotu’s work ethics is exceptional, which contributed to the development of Nigerian ports, from Calabar port to Lagos Port Complex.

Buba said that she turned around the working environment and generates huge revenue into the coffers of NPA within her period of service as port manager.

Country Managing Director, APM Terminals Nigeria, Fredrick Klinke described Olotu as an achiever, promising that APM terminal will form strong bond with her successor.

The Managing Director, Ladol, Amy Jadesimi, said “I have known Olotu for over 20 years and I am always proud of her that any function she performs in NPA will be excellently done.

“She has been consistent, firm and dedicated. She acts without any fear of favour. We will not let you go. You are moving on and you must take us along with you. You are an inspiration to women in maritime industry, you are an inspiration to women in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Charles Bamidele Okaga, who has taken over the mantle of leadership of LPC from Olotu, promised to make Lagos ports better.

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