When Nigeria marked the 70th anniversary of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with a conference in Lagos, several speakers raised concern that no woman was sitting on the row of key dignitaries at the event. This fact was first pointed out by the Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro but the audience was thrown into subtle confusion when the Executive Secreatry of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Barr. Hassan Bello stood up to make his presentation but started by saying a lady was on the high table. Not many understood what Hassan Bello meant because everyone sitting where he pointed were men but Mr. Sekonte Davies who was on the row was representing the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman. Indeed, there was ‘a lady’ in Sekonte Davies.
