WISTA Takes Campaign for Women in Maritime to Anambra

·        Donates Speedboat, Fishing Accessories to Aguleri Women

·        Lauds NIMASA’s Support for Maritime Women

Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) has donated a speedboat and some fishing accessories to the women of Omabala Na Esu Fishers Association of Aguleri, in Anambra State. President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Mary Madu Hamman, said the donations were part of the organisation’s drive to inspire more women participation in the maritime industry.

Hamman said she was in Aguleri with her team of WISTA officials to lend a hand in growing the trade of the fisher folks and encourage them to tap into the vast opportunities in the maritime industry.

MARY HAMMAN

According to her, “Nigeria is concerned about the women in Aguleri community who are known for fishing and marketing. WISTA is proud to associate with them and also help them grow their business activities.

“The maritime sector has a lot of opportunities yet to be tapped into by women.”

BOAT DONATED

She stressed the need for women in Aguleri community to send their daughters to school and also encouraged them to study courses relevant to the maritime industry so that they could tap into the resources in the maritime industry.

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The WISTA Nigeria president, who is also Assistant Director, Shipping Promotion, at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), commended the Agency’s efforts, under the Dr. Dakuku Peterside-led management, to support women in the maritime industry.

“NIMASA has been a huge support and dependable ally for WISTA and women in the maritime industry generally,” he said.

Hamman stated further, “This is not the first time that WISTA Nigeria is empowering women. Similar gestures have been carried out in Epe, Lagos State, and in Oron, Akwa Ibom State. These are all geared towards ensuring that the lives of women are touched. We also aim to enlighten them on the golden opportunities yet to be tapped in the maritime industry.”

She announced that WISTA Nigeria would soon be in Enugu State for a similar exercise.

The First Lady of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, who received the items on behalf of the women, expressed gratitude to WISTA for the philanthropic gesture.

Mrs. Obiano, who was represented by Dr. Ifeoma Madukasi, said, “I want to show my sincere appreciation to WISTA Nigeria for taking out time to impact on the lives of the women in Aguleri and also thank them for encouraging and enlightening the women in Aguleri to tap into the opportunities in the maritime industry. Today is a day that history and the women of Aguleri will not forget so easily because, as you can see, today is a new dawn for women in Aguleri.”

GULF OF GUINEA: IMO, International Oil Players, Pledge Support for NIMASA

…  Nigeria Critical to Regional Stability - Kitack Lim

…  INTERTANKO, ICC, Chevron, Others Commend Agency

The initiatives of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) aimed at ensuring security in the Gulf of Guinea have received a major boost from the international business community. Key players in the global oil and gas as well as shipping businesses praised the initiatives at a maritime security meeting in London chaired by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and pledged their support.

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Members of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) committed to a collaboration with the IMO in support of NIMASA’s efforts to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The agreement was reached at an IMO-sponsored Maritime Security and Facilitation (MSF) meeting, which had in attendance officials of the United Nations specialised maritime regulatory agency, led by the Secretary-General, Kitack Lim; the management of NIMASA led by the Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside; representatives of OCIMF, INTERTANKO, ICS, INTERCARGO, Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO), and President of Chevron Worldwide, Mr. Mark Ross.

President of Chevron Mark Ross , DG NIMASA Dr Dakuku Peterside, NIMASA Executive Director Finance Bashir Jamoh and Eng Rotimi Fashakin NIMASA ED Operations shortly after the IMO-sponsored Maritime Security and Facilitation (MSF) meeting  at the IMO Headquarters in London.

Lim, who chaired the meeting, called for stakeholders’ collaboration to overcome the challenges in the Gulf of Guinea. While acknowledging the efforts of NIMASA to tackle insecurity in the region, the IMO Secretary-General pledged the organisation’s support for Nigeria.

He stated, “We at the IMO are very much interested. It’s gladdening to note that something is being done about the issue of security in the Gulf of Guinea. Something is happening much more than ever before. We want to cruise together. I think we can make a big difference with collaboration from all stakeholders.

“The global maritime security conference in Abuja is also very important. It is a ground-breaking conference to chart a way forward for securing the Gulf of Guinea. IMO will actively participate.”

Dakuku informed the meeting that the C4i Centre, which is already in operation, made use of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to identify Non-AIS complying vessels. It also uses COASTAL RADAR and External System Integration, including the Nigerian Navy’s Falcon Eye Intelligence and Lloyds List Intelligence, among others.

He said, “The Nigerian government acknowledged the challenge of security in the region and decided to take more actions to curb criminal activities on our waters. The Deep Blue Project and the hosting of the global security conference are part of efforts to complement ongoing actions of the Nigerian Navy, which is the largest in that region.  17 interceptors for the Deep Blue Project will arrive Nigeria later this month. Some of the special mission aircraft will also arrive Nigeria in November, while the four unmanned aerial vessels will arrive Nigeria March 2020. Total deployment of all C4i projects will be by November 2020.”

Dakuku stated that Nigerian laws do not allow private armed guards onboard vessels in the country’s territorial waters. He called for constant engagement on the Deep Blue Project, and more support for the ICC Yaounde to enhance information sharing capacity in the Gulf of Guinea.

Stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged the attempts by the Nigerian government to combat maritime crimes and promised to back those efforts with more assets to fight piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. They also promised to support the hosting of the Global Maritime Security Conference (GMSC) in Abuja.

The NIMASA Director-General said, “Over 80 countries have confirmed participation, 28 Navies across the globe have also confirmed participation, with 15 Chiefs of Naval Staff personally leading their delegations to the conference.

“The side event to be hosted by the ICC will have different working groups and agreements at these sub cells will be presented at plenary during the event.”

Mr. Sam Megwa of OCIMF, who had led a team to visit Nigeria this year, also acknowledged the steps by NIMASA and the Nigerian government to curb piracy and maritime crimes. He urged the Agency to put appropriate measures in place to ensure sustainability of the security projects.

Megwa stated, “Our visit to Nigeria was quit inspiring. The most important thing is that Nigeria has acknowledged that there is a challenge and actions are being taken now. NIMASA was open to us as we saw all equipment for the C4i, among others.

“The Agency is doing so much but emphasis must be placed on sustainability of the project through proper governance. All we want is improved security situation in the Gulf of Guinea.”

Nigerian Maritime Reforms to Encourage Foreign Direct Investment – Dakuku

...Set to Establish International Arbitration Centre

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, says policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the maritime industry are targeted at encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the sector. Dakuku stated this while addressing delegates at the West African Shipping Summit, a side event of the ongoing London International Shipping Week.

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He disclosed that Nigeria was to set up an International Maritime Arbitration Centre in Lagos. This, he explained, is to facilitate the timely resolution of disputes within the Gulf of Guinea area and significantly reduce ­the current trend where maritime players in the region head to London, Dubai or Singapore for arbitration on maritime issues.

Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside (middle), flanked by Mr Osei Mitchell (right), and Steve Cameron of African and Maritime Markets (left), during the West African Shipping Summit, a sideline to the ongoing London International Shipping Week

The NIMASA DG assured his audience, which included key players in the global maritime industry, that the reforms in the Nigerian maritime sector were opening up vast opportunities in the industry and invited investors to take advantage of them.

He said, “I believe that the Nigerian maritime environment has the largest potential. With a population of about 200 million, which represents over half of the entire population of West Africa, potentials in shipbuilding and ship repair are available.

“In the next five years, vessels built outside Nigeria will not be allowed to participate in Cabotage trade. So you are all invited to come and invest in the shipbuilding and ship repair industry in Nigeria.”

Dakuku also disclosed that the Nigerian Ship registry was being reformed to make it more attractive by having provisions for both national and international players.

“We are also reforming the Nigerian ship registry. The bigger picture is that over time, we are going to have dual ship registry, which will effectively take care of national interest and international interest. It will make it more dynamic, more responsive and it will be one of the most business-friendly registries in the world,” he said.

On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas, who was represented at the event by the Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Begroy Enyinna Ibe-Enwo, noted that the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences Act recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari will surely curtail the activities of criminals on Nigerian waters.

“The anti-piracy bill signed by President Buhari will surely curtail the excesses of syndicates who profit from sponsoring criminalities in the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

Ette-Ibas also declared that Nigerian waters were safe for investment and regional collaboration among navies in the region, saying the Yaoundé 2013 declaration has greatly enhanced patrol of the entire maritime domain in the Gulf of Guinea. He pointed to the steady decline of incidents of piracy in Nigerian waters over the past four years as a confirmation that Nigerian waters are safe for business.

CEO of the African Risk Compliance Limited, Micheal Wingtage, who said he was conversant with the Nigerian maritime domain, noted that the challenge of information management concerning security in the Gulf of Guinea was real.

Wingtage said, “Not all of Nigerian waters are unsafe. The challenges are there but in most cases it’s exaggerated, thus, creating a myth of insecurity. So much has been done by Nigerian government and the international community needs to appreciate this.”

Akabogu Law organised the West African Shipping Summit, in partnership with the London International Shipping Week, and it was attended by stakeholders from different countries.

OPEC Declares Support for Global Maritime Security Conference in Nigeria

·        As AAMA Chairman, Dakuku, Confirms Participation of Over 70 Countries

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for accepting to host the upcoming Global Maritime Security Conference, saying the talks will go a long way in addressing security concerns in the maritime domain of the entire Gulf of Guinea. Secretary-General of OPEC Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo gave the commendation in a statement to the organising committee of the conference.

This is as Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, confirmed the participation of over 70 countries in the conference scheduled for 7 – 9 October in Abuja.

DG. NIMASA

Barkindo noted in the statement that the Gulf of Guinea was strategic to the stability of oil production globally. He said the area was a major shipping route and any infraction there would be felt beyond the region.

MOHAMMED BARKINDO

OPEC SECRETARY GENERAL

According to him, “The strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea is undisputed and any disruptions in the area has a direct negative impact on our industry and, indeed, is of global concern. This conference is timely in bringing together the relevant and critical stakeholders to allow them to discuss in a constructive manner what concerted action could be undertaken to ensure the sustainable use and long term security of this important and strategic body of ocean.”

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Barkindo said the conference would create renewed confidence in investment in the oil and gas sector in the Gulf of Guinea, with a multiplier effect of addressing the challenges associated with the sector globally.

Meanwhile, the chairman of AAMA said the conference would provide a platform for stakeholders of all shades to brainstorm and collectively find solutions to the challenge of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. Dakuku, who is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), assured participants of a successful event in Nigeria.

“We shall have a no-holds-barred discussion on security in the Gulf of Guinea at the conference, which promises to be a watershed event in the history of maritime security in Africa and, indeed, the world,” Dakuku stated.  

The Global Maritime Security Conference 2019 is a high-level meeting meant to facilitate a clearer understanding of the challenges of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea region. It is intended to develop tailored solutions as well as coordinate efforts at strengthening regional and international collaborations to eliminate maritime threats in the region.

Expected participants include Relevant Government Ministries and Agencies, Navies and Coast Guards, Regulatory Bodies, Maritime Lawyers and Professionals, Foreign Missions and Diplomats, Policy Makers and Researchers, Institutions and Nongovernmental Organisations, among others.

NIMASA Encourages Capacity Building through Essay Competition

NIMASA Encourages Capacity Building through Essay Competition

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has stated that one of the reasons behind the organisation of the annual essay competitions as part of the activities to commemorate the 2019 World Maritime Day is to encourage youth participation in the maritime sector.

The Director General of the Agency, Dr Dakuku Peterside made this known in a statement at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos. Dr Peterside who described the youth as the future of the sector said that NIMASA would continue to do all it can to encourage them to pursue careers and investment opportunities in the maritime industry after graduation.

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He noted that “this is the third edition of the annual competition specifically designed for students in Nigerian tertiary institutions in order to stimulate research and scholarship to build their knowledge and appreciation of the maritime industry”.

The Director General who is also the Chairman of the African Association of Maritime Administrations (AAMA) observed that massive investment in the maritime industry will help to create employment, diversify the nation’s economy and provide additional sources of income beyond crude oil and its derivatives.

Speaking about the topic and prizes for the winners of the essay competition, Dr Peterside said that this year’s topic for the essay competition is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” in line with the theme of the 2019 World Maritime Day celebration. He added that the winner would go home with 500,000 naira educational grant and a laptop while the winning essay would be published in the NIMASA magazine, The Voyage.

He further disclosed that the 1^st and 2^nd runners up would get educational grants worth 350,000 and 250,000 naira respectively as well as laptops while consolation prizes of 100,000 naira would be given as educational grants to seven other runners up.

It will be recalled that during the last three years, NIMASA has organised this essay competition as part of the activities to celebrate the world maritime day.

In line with the already published guidelines of the essay competition, only first and second year students of Nigerian tertiary institutions are eligible to participate in the competition. The essay of not less than 1,200 words must be forwarded to wmdessay@nimasa.gov.ng and mail@samuelson.com.ng on or before September 12, 2019.

Dakuku: Buhari’s Economic Agenda Dependable

·        As NIMASA is Named Most Reliable Government Organisation

Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has said that the economic programme of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is not only succeeding, but it is also reliable. Dakuku stated this at the seventh edition of the Pan African International Recognition Awards/Annual Discourse held in Accra, Ghana.

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The Director-General’s remarks followed the recognition of NIMASA as the “Most Reliable Government Organisation of the Year” at the occasion.

Organisers of the annual awards, Pan African International magazine, said NIMASA was recognised for “its giant achievements in the maritime sector, locally and globally.”

The theme of this year's event was, “Driving Growth and Sustainable Economic Development through Good Governance – Improving Structures and Policies in Africa.” It was a forum to showcase and honour leaders, organisations, and individuals who had shown commitment to the development of the continent.

Dakuku said at the award ceremony, “This honour is a testament to the success and dependability of President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic agenda. We keyed in a long time ago, and we have been running with the vision of the President to restore Nigeria to greatness.

“At NIMASA, we are also pursuing a transformational agenda, and this award is testimony to the effectiveness of our strategy.   

“We are doing our bit as a strategic economic pillar in the collective task of delivering progress to majority of Nigerians.”   

The Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who represented the Director-General, received the award on behalf of the Agency.

The event had Director of the Kenya School of Law, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, as Keynote Speaker.

Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), receiving the award of the Most Reliable Government Organisation of the Year on behalf of the Agency at the seventh edition of the Pan African International Recognition Awards/Annual Discourse held in Accra, Ghana.

The award ceremony brought together renowned intellectuals and financial experts from across the globe to proffer solutions to the varied challenges facing African countries. It was an opportunity for African political and business leaders, government agencies, research institutions and investors to meet and proffer solutions to the challenges of unemployment, terrorism, insecurity and corruption, which have prevented most African countries from reaching their developmental potential.

The 2019 award is the latest recognition of the efforts by NIMASA, under the current management, to positively contribute to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria, and the African continent, in general. It comes on the heels of the “Outstanding Invaluable Company Award”, which Rotary International conferred on the Agency in March for various Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives it has embarked on in recent times.

Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh (left), receiving the award of the Most Reliable Government Organisation of the Year on behalf of the Agency at the seventh edition of the Pan African International Recognition Awards/Annual Discourse held in Accra, Ghana.