Rivers chapter of WISTA gets new Exco

The Women International Shipping and Trading Association, WISTA, Rivers State Chapter has elected a new executive council to run its affairs.

The seven-woman council was elected during the Rivers State Chapter meeting held at the conference room of the Eastern zonal headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, , in Port Harcourt.

Nominations were made and election of the following persons to fill the available positions were made: the Traffic Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority Rivers Port Complex, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, was returned unopposed as the Coordinator, WISTA, Rivers State Chapter.

Mrs. Essien Onwughara of NIMASA was elected Deputy Coordinator while Gloria Jaja of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, emerged Secretary.

The position of Treasurer and Financial Secretary went to Mrs. Mercy Abu of IHP Consulting Services, while the post of Provost/Welfare went to Mrs. Patience Oviku of NIMASA.

Others officers are Mrs. Barbara Ejemeh Nchey-Achukwu of NPA who was elected Public Relations Officer and Mrs. Tochukwu Okpara of Somkelex Liquids Limited, who emerged assistant PRO.

In her post-election speech, the new WISTA Rivers State Chapter Coordinator congratulated all the new officials, saying the new executive council was poised to take the union to the next level.

She also tasked them to put in their best in the services of the association and solicited for their maximum co-operation.

“The task of building a stronger chapter of WISTA Rivers State is enormous, and I am advising you all to contribute your quota to achieve the set goals.”

Meanwhile, Rivers Port Manager, Mrs. Carolyn Akum Ufere, who doubles as the patron of WISTA at the national level, has sent congratulatory messages to those that emerged winners at the WISTA election.

She reminded them that the positions they were elected to occupy was a call to service, and urged them to maintain the highest professionalism in their different jobs in the Maritime Industry.

Also, the National President of WISTA, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, a maritime lawyer and consultant, in a statement applauded the smooth conduct of the election and solicited for the cooperation of the newly-elected executives.

It should be noted that the Women International Shipping and Trading Association is an umbrella organisation of women engaged in shipping and trade related businesses throughout the world.

The Nigerian chapter of WISTA was incorporated in 1994 as a non-profit association. Its membership includes women, who are top and middle level administrators, service providers to the shipping industry, maritime lawyers, ship brokers, freight forwarders, chandlers, charterers and port operators, among others.