NIMASA advocates greater role for African women in maritime
In line with the global focus on enhancing the role of women in the maritime and shipping sector, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has announced the Agency’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at getting more African women involved in the industry.
Dakuku disclosed this when the president of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Ghana, Jemilat Mahamah, paid him a courtesy visit at the NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.
He pledged that NIMASA will sponsor a high-powered delegation to the 6th WISTA Africa Region Conference holding in Accra from April 2 to 4.
According to him, the theme of the conference, “The role of women in harnessing the potential of Africa’s blue economy,” coincides with the focus of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) this year, which is, “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community.”
The Director General stated, “Globally, the focus in the maritime industry today is how to get more women involved in the sector, whether as seafarers, ship owners, etc. So every effort to encourage the participation of women in the sector is supported by NIMASA. You can count on our support.”
He added, “It is interesting that this year is dedicated by the IMO to empowering women in the maritime sector, specifically, shipping. Your conference coincides with the thematic thrust of the IMO this year.
Therefore, it is very easy for us to align with the global agenda of the international maritime community and support your initiative of hosting the continent in Accra.
“You can count on the support of NIMASA and, by extension, Nigeria. We believe and support everything that would give women a role in the maritime sector. There is no sector that would exclude 50 per cent of the population and expect that sector to thrive”, Dakuku stated.
