The deputy director/Head, Revenue at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Ohunayo Ani, has been elected and sworn in as president, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria.
During a swearing-in ceremony presided over by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President, Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere, at the Association’s national secretariat, the pioneer WISTA Nigeria President, Funmi Folorunso and another former WISTA Nigeria President, Ify Akerele shared strategies to make the association more reverred and formidable regionally and internationally.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the President of WISTA Nigeria, Dr. Ani, who is also a deputy director/ head revenue at NIMASA, vowed to lead an all-inclusive leadership throughout the 2-year tenure.
Other executives include; Vice President – Captain Edidiong Akpanebe Sola-Abalo mni, Marine Coordinator/Pilot at SNEPCO; General Secretary – Mrs. Lilian Mac-Jaja Nneji, Assistant Director, Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund/Cabotage Secretariat Division, NIMASA; Treasurer – Mrs. Hanna Adaba, Deputy Director, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC); Public Relations Officer – Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Director General, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS).
Asst. Secretary – Mrs Oluwatoyin Oyeleke, Custom Broker/Rep, IFCBA, CRFFN; Assistant PRO – Mrs Nneoma Obi-Asualo, Anchor & Producer Maritime Radar on News Central TV; and Assistant Treasurer – Mrs. Aisha Cole, Senior Editor News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
In her acceptance speech, the new WISTA Nigeria President, Dr. Ani, pledged to advance the mission and vision of the association in an environment where every member feels valued and empowered to contribute, even as she beckoned on the WISTA Nigeria Diamonds to continuously lend their hand of support and rich expertise to the current leadership.
Dr. Ani informed the diamonds of the executives plan to meet with WISTA Diamonds to present the major goals of the association for refinement and counsel, as she targets robust contribution of WISTA Nigeria to national, continental and global issues under her leadership.
Her words: “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this election process. Your engagement, support, and belief in the future of our association have been the cornerstone of our collective success. It is your dedication that fuels the spirit of innovation and progress within our community.”
“We must navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving landscape, championing inclusivity, diversity, and excellence every step of the way. Our strength lies in our collective wisdom, and I am dedicated to ensuring that every voice is not only heard but also respected. Together, we will harness the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change and propel our association to new heights of success.”
Speaking earlier, the Pioneer President of WISTA Nigeria and Secretary General of African Shipowners Association (ASA), Diamond Funmi Folorunso, encouraged the new executives to appreciate and gainfully exploit the strength and portfolio of WISTA members.
“We have a pool of influential personalities in WISTA including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria who are also former Presidents – Funke Agbor and Jean-Chiazor Anishere. We have a former director general of NIMASA, Mfon Usoro; Chairperson, Seaport Terminals Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup; a mong others. We need to take advantage of our strength.” Funmi remarked.
She equally charged the new leadership to lead WISTA towards the attainment of major structural adjustments in the nation’s shipping industry.
On her part, another former WISTA Nigeria President and Pioneer Director General of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Diamond Ify Akerele, charged the new leadership to broaden the visibility and impact of the association.
Her words: “WISTA Nigeria used to be a very powerful and formidable group and it is very important that you work towards taking WISTA back to that level with witty ideas and topnotch visibility in the maritime industry. I believe this leadership can do exploits and excel; but you must work together.”
The vice president of NCS, also charged the new leadership to network with women in Midstream and Downstream Energy Sector, even as she expressed optimism to see more Nigerian women as ship owners and owners of shipyards.
Also speaking, a former President and Principal Partner, Jean-Chiazor and Partners, Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN), encouraged the group to intentionally prepare for regional and global conferences in a bid to improve the association repute globally.
However, Anishere maintained that networking is the biggest asset at the association, stressing that if well harnessed it could improve the capabilities of members and also lead to financial gains.
The immediate-past Vice-President, Mrs. Anna Akpan decorated the new President and extended the goodwill and support of the former President, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke.