…Assures of improved capacity building for NPA legal officers
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has called on Nigerian women to develop their capacities and get involved in active politics to contribute meaningfully to nation building.
She made the call while delivering a paper titled: Equity and Inclusiveness, Panacea to National Development at the 2018 Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WINBIZ) Master Class which took place at George Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday.
The Managing Director noted that developing capacity, taking bold step, initiative, and breaking all barriers as a woman had become very imperative in the present Nigerian situation because being appointed into any position is no longer a gender issue.
She further said that “every woman should strive to excel and achieve some feats and learn all the skills of leadership”, pointing out that “appointments are not given because someone is a woman but because of capacity to do the job”.
The Managing Director further advised women not to limit themselves to a particular role but strive to develop a job profile urging the women to provide support mechanism for other women through mentorship and capacity building and stressed the need for women to appreciate their positions as mothers and wives.
On the need to take up leadership roles and taking active part in politics, she observed that half of the Nigerian population are women but according to her, they are being left behind in the scheme of things, pointing out that they should get involved so that they can add value to the society, saying that nobody can take a decision against women when they are involved.
She commended the South-Western states of Nigeria that gave opportunity for women to be Deputy Governors and urged other states in Nigeria to emulate this gesture.
She was optimistic that Nigeria would one day produce a democratically elected female Governor after a brief stay of Mrs. Virginia Etiaba of Anambra State some years ago.
In her speech, the Chairperson, Executive Council of WIMBIZ, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, commended the Managing Director for her achievements since assumption of office, describing her as a pride to womanhood.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has reiterated the decision of Management towards the retraining of its legal officers and the re-invigoration of the organization’s legal unit for improved administrative efficiency and optimal output.
This she emphasized would only materialize in the area of capacity building through effective interface with maritime lawyers whilst assuring the visiting maritime lawyers of improved synergy on pending cases of the organization in various courts across the country.
According to her, Management would in the coming days seek for legal support in the interpretation of bills especially the Ports and Harbours and the Nigerian Transport Commission (NTC) bills presently at the National Assembly.
The NPA helmsperson made this remark when the Executive Members of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) led by its President, Chidi Ilogu (SAN) paid her a courtesy visit at the Organization’s Corporate Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, yesterday.
In his response, the NMLA Chairman, informed the gathering that its association which was formed in 1979, is the Nigerian arm of the Committee Maritime International (CMI) that was formally admitted as a member at its Conference in Canada in 1981.
The association comprises of various professionals who amongst others promote, practice, study the advancement of maritime and mercantile law with emphasis on Nigerian maritime law and its administration. It also affords the opportunities for the discussion and consideration of maritime related matters of interest to its members.
The legal association applauded the positive contributions of the NPA in the area of its policies on Ease of Doing Business, level playing ground for Port users, efficiency in port operations, improved turnaround time for vessels and the Deep Seaport initiative.
Photo: L-R: Chairperson/Executive Council Member, WIMBIZ, Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, Managing Director, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman and CEO, Wavelize Growth Partners, Taba Peterside during the WIMBIZ Annual Conference in Lagos yesterday.
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