Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria, has strengthened its ongoing efforts to empower coastal communities, promote inclusive participation in Nigeria’s blue economy and create employment opportunities through fisheries.

Speaking during the donation of fishing boats and nets to Tomoro community in Lagos, the President of WIMA Nigeria, Theodora Nwaeze, said the initiative was to provide practical support for livelihoods and create opportunities for women and youths whose economic activities depend on the waterways.

Nwaeze said the outreach reflected the administration’s commitment to its four strategic pillars of Empowerment, Innovation, Collaboration and National Visibility, stressing that WIMA Nigeria would continue to support initiatives that translate the blue economy agenda into tangible benefits for communities.

She further stressed that sustainable development of the maritime sector must include the people and communities whose daily lives are directly connected to rivers, creeks, waterways and coastal areas.

President, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria, Jean Chiazor-Anishere, described the donation as an investment in people and economic development.

Chiazor-Anishere pledged to support development initiatives in the riverine community and called for additional interventions in fishing technology, safety, affordable finance, insurance, fish processing, storage, market access and infrastructure.

She also urged the government and maritime stakeholders to improve the conditions of fishing communities through better landing facilities, roads, electricity, water, healthcare and security.

According to her, Nigeria’s blue economy agenda must reach beyond ports and institutional offices to communities whose livelihoods depend directly on the country’s waterways.

The President, Modern Crayfish Fishermen Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited, Ben Mosan, commended WIMA Nigeria for the initiative and expressed the cooperative’s readiness to strengthen collaboration with the organisation.

Mosan identified skills development, entrepreneurship, financial support, business training, health education, leadership development and advocacy as key areas where greater collaboration could improve the economic position of women in fishing communities.

He said empowering women with relevant skills and opportunities would strengthen families and contribute to the development of stronger and more resilient communities.