WISTA Nigeria President Canvasses for Gender Equality

Chinazor Megbolu

The President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke is canvassing for gender equality in commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD).

She made this known through a press document and signed by the Public Relations Officer, WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Sarah Roberts said is to celebrate the 2020 IWD on Sunday.

She stated the celebration should be an avenue to create awareness on the importance of gender equality, especially in the maritime industry.

Ezeoke stressed that WISTA Nigeria is joining other women professionals globally, especially in the maritime sector to celebrate the day to give recognition to women and emphasize gender equality.

“Gender equality is essential for economies and communities to thrive and the year 2020 is a pivotal year for advancing gender equality worldwide.

“The race is on for the gender-equal boardroom, a gender-equal government, gender-equal workplaces and more gender equality in health and wealth.

“We are happy that Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman emerged as the first female Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). We have also had a female Director-General at NIMASA in the past when Barr. Mfon Usoro headed the Agency.

“We have many other great women including judges that are our members. We have vessel owners, maritime experts, business moguls, top maritime administrators, among others, “Ezeoke said. She further maintained that there are women in Customs, Immigration, Freight Forwarding, the Media and all aspects of shipping who have carved a niche for themselves respectively.

Ezeoke, however, pointed out that WISTA Nigeria had implemented pet projects in terms of supporting the women in the riverine areas in Aguleri (Anambra), Oron (Akwa Ibom), Lokoja (Kogi) and Epe (Lagos State) with boats and other fishing equipment.

Ezeoke while felicitating with the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki and others on the occasion of IWD said: “WISTA Nigeria looks forward to the support of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other maritime agencies in achieving the noble objective of encouraging effective participation of girls and women in the maritime industry.

“We also commend efforts of the Chief Executives of maritime agencies comprising; the Managing Director of NPA, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman; Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside; and the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello, among others”