*Labinjo: “I’m Still In The Race”
*Ogbeifun: “NISA Needs Me, Now”
*Omatseye: “I Have Answers To NISA Challenges”
The race for elective positions in the Nigerian Indigenous Shipowners Association (NISA) took another twist last week as some non-members, before now have declared interest in running for some of the elective positions.
Details of these possible candidates are yet to be made public, but the issue is already generating heat in the association with interests divided against the other.
This is coming as Captain Dada Labinjo has declared that he is still in the race for the presidency of NISA, saying he was not zoned out of the race for anybody.
Also, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun has stated his intention to run for the presidency of NISA, while Barr. Temi Omatseye has confirmed his commitment to run and deliver performance.
Meanwhile, MMS Plus Weekly will be doing a periscope on the three presidential candidates with a view to x-raying their strengths and weaknesses as well as who could emerge finally as the president. This will come before the election in October 9th 2014.
Reacting to earlier report that he had been zoned out of the
race, Labinjo said “I am not aware of any zoning agreement within NISA members. NISA is a Professional Association subscribed to freely by Shipowners, Maritime Operators and allied service providers, such as Lawyers, Accountants, Insurance Companies, Banks etc. In such an Association there is no place for politics of zoning. The choice of who, heads the Association can only come from the registered members of the Association.”
He added, “The constitution of the Association is very clear on who can contest for office of the association. Article 6 of NISA constitution provides that every office of the Association is elective. Article 6 (6) provides as follows “As much as possible, candidates contesting for election into the position of the President, the 1st Vice President and the 2nd Vice President shall be from different geographical /geopolitical regions of the country.”
Labinjo, the incumbent General Secretary of NISA, who resigned his position for election, added: “Therefore I, Capt. D.O Labinjo, and all other contestants are very much in the race in line with the provisions of the NISA constitution!
In his letter of resignation, a copy sent to MMS Plus Weekly, Labinjo stated, “My decision to step aside was borne out of my belief in transparency and fair play in all undertakings”
Ogbeifun, in his letter of intent said, I wish to formally inform you of my intention to contest for the position of president, Nigerian Shipowners’ Association (NISA)”
According to him, “I would like to recognize and give credit to the present executive of NISA, some of who are the founding members of NISA for their efforts in sustaining the association to its present state. However, in spite of the progress made so far, a lot still needs to be done to take the association to the path of growth and development.
“Therefore, what this association needs is someone who can inject fresh ideas, proffer positive solutions to some of our perennial problems and lead the association to greater heights with renewed vitality. NISA, at this crucial moment requires the selfless service of men and women of integrity and courage to steer it towards the path of redemption.”
Ogbeifun further noted that he had been a part of the process of salvaging the maritime industry in different capacities that he had been privileged to serve, adding, “if I am elected into office, my main aim is to work with my Exco to provide a platform to support members in their shipping businesses and provide advocacy for their expectations and their right in the industry.
“We will ensure that, with the support of the Federal Government and related agencies, the Association secures a percentage of Maritime business that must be given to qualified and competent indigenous shipowners from the association. I therefore crave your support for the actualization of this lofty dream especially in the area of honest advice,” he added.
Speaking with MMS Plus Weekly, Omatseye who is a former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), assured that he had answers to the challenges of NISA in the maritime industry. He raised hope of a better NISA with him as the president. Read his interview next week.
