As part of efforts to ensure continuity and seamless regulatory functions at Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the new NSC Executive Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has said he would continue with all the programmes which his predecessor, Mr. Hassan Bello promoted while in office.
Jime, who was speaking during a reception organised in honour of the former Executive Secretary of NSC, Bello, stated that he had identified some programmes, including the International Cargo Tracking Network (ICTN) as very critical for the growth of the industry.
At the event organized by Bello’s media friends in Ikeja, Lagos, the former NSC CEO pointed out that his successor, Mr Emmanuel Jime, has immeasurable qualities that the nation’s maritime industry needs.
Jime also said that he has noticed that the NSC has a good foundation, assuring that this means that the future will continue to be better and the Council would continue to turn out efficient services.
Hon. Jime, however, called for the support of the maritime media in information dissemination on the activities of the ports economic regulator.
Bello described his successor as a ‘man of steel’, who has valued experience that the industry stands to benefit, adding that Jime as twice member of the House of Representatives, former CEO of Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) and Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly has a lot of value to offer to the maritime industry.
Bello’s words: “My successor is a man of steel. A man who has valued experience that I can never dream of. He will perform more than all of us put together (referring to past Executive Secretaries of NSC). I assure you that he is going to do that”.
Bello added that the NSC from inception has always been lucky to have wonderful CEOs who have performed creditably during their terms in the Council.
He recalled the efforts by Dr. Kingsley Usor who with meager funding was able to build the present corporate office of the Council, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, Dr. (Mrs.) Grace Obiozor, late Capt. Adamu Biu who gave their best to the industry and the Council.
According to him, the NSC as the ports economic regulator is well respected today because of the integrity of the personnel at all levels, adding that this enabled NSC to enjoy tremendous support in the ports industry.
Bello who described the media as critical to economic and political development of any nation, called on the maritime media to extend the same level of cooperation given to him when he was in the Council to his successor.
In his speech, the new NSC Executive Secretary, Jime, said he would continue with all the programmes which Bello promoted while in office.
Meanwhile, the founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam also called on the media to support the new NSC helmsman in his new assignment the same way it supported Bello.
He commended the organisers of the event for the honour bestowed on Bello, adding that it was a wonderful thing to come from journalists in the industry, and an honour that every former chief executive should wish to get.
Aniebonam who noted that his association has not been happy with the new ES for not honouring its invitation for a similar event in the past said he has now soft-pedaled on his anger.
He explained that he was doing so based on every indication that Jime is a good man and will do the industry good.
