NPA, NIMASA promote gender equality in shipping sector

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), have stressed the need for more women to play critical roles in the development of the nation’s maritime sector.

The maritime watchdogs, advised women to project themselves as intellectuals, to sustain gender equality in public offices.

The Managing Director, NPA, Ms Hadiza Usman, who gave this advice while receiving some members of the Women International Maritime Africa (WIMAFRICA), and National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), at the NPA’s headquarters in Lagos, said women should not abandon their profession because of domestic duties.

Rather, she urged them to continue working to enable them to occupy executive positions, as well as support the young ladies in their work places, to enable them to remain within the employment range.

The Director-General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, said: “There is need to recognise efforts being made by women and their participation in African maritime sector.”

Peterside, who was represented by Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, said there was no doubt that many women had been performing brilliantly in NIMASA.

President of WIMAFRICA, Nigerian Chapter, Mrs Jean Chiazor-Anishere, pleaded with the Agency to support the Association to achieve its mandate of empowering women in riverine areas.

Chiazor-Anishere emphasised the need to engage trained cadets on sea time experience to enable them go on board, and increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).