Babajide Okeowo
Foremost shipowner and the Managing Director of Sea Transport Group, Alhaji Aminu Umar has vowed to advance the interest of Nigeria’s Shipping industry by working tirelessly to promote a vibrant and competitive maritime sector capable of contributing to Nigeria’s National economy.
He made the vow during his investiture as the 7th President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping held in Lagos.
Umar also vowed to make collaboration his mantra while calling on all stakeholders within and outside of the shipping industry to join forces with him and his team.
“My primary objective as President is to advance the interests of the Shipping industry. We will work tirelessly to promote a vibrant and competitive maritime sector that contributes significantly to our national economy.
Through advocacy, policy reforms, and collaborations, we will create an environment that attracts investment, fosters innovation, and stimulates sustainable growth.
Collaboration is key to our success. I invite all stakeholders, both within and outside the shipping industry to join forces with us. By working together, we can leverage each other’s strengths, share knowledge and expertise and address common challenges.
Let us foster a culture of collaboration that transcends boundaries, promotes inclusivity, and drives sustainable growth in our maritime sector” he said.
The outgoing president of the chamber Mr. Andy Isichei on his part expressed confidence in the ability of Mr. Umar to lead the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping to even greater heights.
“As I hand over the baton to President Umar, I am confident that he would lead the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping to even greater heights. His visionary leadership, passion for our industry, and wealth of experience make him the ideal candidate to take us forward.
I urge all members to extend their support and cooperation to President Umar as he steers our chamber towards new frontiers” he advocated.
Speaking also at the event, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olisa Agbakoba, who was the pioneer president of the chamber disclosed that he has no doubt about the ability of Alhaji Aminu Umar to be one of the most successful presidents produced by the Chamber.
He also called for more private-sector participation in the industry.
“The Maritime sector needs more private sector participation, there is a strong role for the private sector to play. With the new government coming on board, we can at least review some of the key issues so that the industry can be very vibrant.
“To Aminu, you can climb on the shoulders of six past presidents, we are here for you, anything you need, we will support you” he enthused.
On her part, Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, the Director General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping expressed confidence that as the chamber begins a new chapter with Mr. Aminu Umar as its president, it provides an opportunity to further advance the interest of members.
“Alhaji Umar has a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s shipping industry. Under his leadership, we will continue to strive for excellence, foster collaboration and promote sustainable practices that will propel our industry forward” she said.
She also used the opportunity to extend invitations to prospective members who are interested in joining the chamber.
As we stand on the threshold of exciting possibilities, we welcome you to be a part of our dynamic community. The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and advocacy, offering a multitude of benefits to its members”.
The event also saw the investiture of Mrs Ifeayinwa Anazonwu-Akerele as the Vice President of the Chamber.
The Minister of Transportation, Jaji Muazu Sambo in his speech lamented the lack of desired growth in the maritime sector saying Nigeria had no business relying on crude oil to survive as the maritime sector is capable of making this country prosper based on our aquatic endowments.
The event also witnessed goodwill messages from the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerians Shippers’ Council (NSC), and Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) amongst others.
