WISTA Nigeria excos charged to ensure women’s participation in shipping industry

The newly elected executives of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria have been charged to ensure the attainment of major structural adjustments in the nation’s shipping industry as well as create opportunities for more Nigerian women as owners of vessels and shipyards.

The charge was given during the inauguration of the new executives, which saw the emergence of a Deputy Director/Head Revenue at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Odunayo Ani as WISTA Nigeria President and the Marine Coordinator/Pilot at SNEPCO, Captain Edidiong Sola-Abalo as the Vice President among other executives.

Speaking earlier, the Pioneer President of WISTA Nigeria and Secretary General of the African Shipowners Association (ASA), Funmi Folorunso, encouraged the new executives to appreciate and gainfully exploit the strength and portfolio of members.

Folorunso equally charged the new leadership to lead WISTA toward the attainment of major structural adjustments in the nation’s shipping industry.On her part, a former WISTA Nigeria President and Pioneer Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Ify Akerele, charged the new leadership to broaden the visibility and impact of the association.

She also charged the new leadership to network with women in the midstream and downstream energy sector, even as she expressed optimism to see more Nigerian women as ship owners and owners of shipyards.

In her acceptance speech, the new president vowed to lead an all-inclusive leadership throughout the two-year tenure. 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.