NITOA gets Retired General new President

Brigadier General M. A. Aromire has emerged the new president of the Nigerian Trawler Owners Association of Nigeria (NITOA) in an election held on Wednesday, 20th March, 2019 at the association’s secretariat.

Until his new position, Aromire was the First Vice President of the association.

In his acceptance speech, he promised to run an inclusive and open administration while welcoming constructive criticisms.

He however solicited for cooperation and support of his members while thanking the immediate past executive for bringing the new era into reality.

While General emerged the President, Mr. Joseph Overo of Banarly emerged as the 1st Vice President; Mr. Kunle Osinibosi of Oshine Fisheries became the 2nd Vice.

Other members of the new executive include; Mr. Gbadegesin Sarafadeen of Seabless was elected as 1st Council member, Mr. Biodun Adedara of Karflex emerged the 2nd Council member while Mr Akinsola Amire of ORC Fisheries, the immediate past President became the 1st Officio member.

The new executive members are to run the affairs of the association for the next two years.

Meanwhile, in his farewell address, Mr Amire, immediate past President of NITOA, highlighted some of the achievements of his administration which according to him included; Cabotage, proposed vessels survey by NIWA, vacation notice to members by NPA, proposed Lagos Fisheries terminal, increase in fishing license fees, among other issues which he said he helped to tackle and fought to a standstill.

He said with the active support of the Executive council and some members, most of the issues were resolved in favour of the association.

He said, “I am sure that the incoming executive will have sufficient understanding in resolving any possible issue that may be raised on these and others in future.

“In 2017, we introduced the annual membership certificate when it was discovered that some fishing companies dealing with our association were dropping our name in situations unknown to us.

“This helped to eliminate such illicit operations into which those non-members of our association would have dragged our name.”

According to him, the certificate will be issued as soon as members pay 2019 membership fees and subscriptions, adding that the secretariat has been upgraded to suit the status of the association.

He further applauded members of the group for the mature approach through which the constitution of the association was reviewed not long ago.