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The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria has concluded a historic most competitive electoral process which saw Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke elected as the President of the Association on Thursday.
Ezeoke got 36 votes to defeat three other contestants; Ortsematosan Edodo-Emore who got 16 votes; Victoria Tarfa with 15 votes and Obiagelli Obi with 12 votes in a keenly contested election which was a deviation from the passing of baton of leadership which was the norm over the years.
Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, former Assistant General Manager, Tariff and Billing, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) addressed journalists after the polls as she promised to build on the achievements of her predecessor, Mrs. Mary Hamman even as she solicited members’ cooperation to help boost the objectives of WISTA.
According to her, the main focus of the new leadership would be on women empowerment in the maritime community adding that WISTA chapters in other States who have not been active in the association’s activities would be reinvigorated.
“My prime objective is to sustain the good achievements that WISTA – Nigeria has recorded over the years and build on the existing foundation to protect our impact locally and internationally. WISTA Nigeria is not only Lagos, it involves the entire federation.”
“Several State chapters have been existing, but they have not been inclusive in our activities so we need to bring them in. Our relationship with regional branches of WISTA as well as WISTA International will be strengthened to the benefit of all members and we will once again work as a team to achieve greatness,” Ezeoke said.
Meanwhile, the immediate past President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Mary Hamman, commended WISTA members for their support and cooperation even as she appealed that they extended such goodwill and support to the new executives.
She expressed delight that WISTA Nigeria had attained increased international recognition as well as local recognition by key maritime players and government of some states under her leadership.
“We took over the administration of WISTA Nigeria, which I ran for two tenures with 43 financial members and now we have over 130 financial members. I urged all the incoming executives to work as a team to enable them achieve their aims in the next two years of their tenure, she said.
Others elected include Mrs. Ann Akpan, who emerged as the Vice President of WISTA; Dr (Mrs) Odunayo Ani as Treasurer, and Chizoba Anyika as the Secretary.
