The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), has on Friday 17th May 2024, celebrated the International Day For Women In Maritime
The event which took place at the NIMASA building, Burma road, Apapa Lagos, with the theme,"Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety", brings together women from different professions operating in the maritime sector to come together and give support to younger women in the agency for a greater development.
The event was an affirmation of the crucial role women plays in the maritime sector and a call to action for ongoing efforts to ensure a safe equitable environment for all maritime professionals.
In her opening remarks, the Director, Finance Services, NIMASA, Mrs.Olamide Odunsanya, appreciated the International Maritime Organization for creating an inclusive and supportive environment for women, stressing the important of balancing professional development with family values.
We must also create space, motivate and develop the younger women in the agency so that we can continue to lead and pass this course that we have probably led during our time. Let's all see ourselves as one, one Voice shaping the future of maritime.
Nevertheless, "we are proud to know that the maritime industry is one with great institutions like higher mood lifts taking further steps to recognize the uniqueness and potentials of women in shipping".
The survival and development of children are instructively our responsibility, It goes with saying therefore, that we must find a way to balance our work life relationship and ensure that professional development never equates the destruction of forming family values.
Further speaking, a member of WILAT, princess Margareth Inam, emphasizes on training as key to women development.
She appreciates NIMASA for including them in this year celebration of women in the maritime sector
In her words, "As we believe in realizing that this year's theme is what we had already been practicing, as the team says, "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety.
"As women, we believe in training,
and I have always tell people that if you are going to sit for any exams that has to do with this sector, logistics and transport inclusive we have knowledgeable people in the sector that comes to give us a presentation from their wealth of knowledge and experience.
We believe in carrying women along, we have our students members and we are working on issues on how to place them very well because you need to plan according to what you have, u can't give what you don't have,
and so whenever we are going for any conference outside the country, we sponsor these students just to include them and give them proper mentorship for tomorrow.
Continuing, "we believe that they will be the leaders of tomorrow, and so we include them. And that's what we work on, that is leadership, mentorship, entrepreneurship, empowerment, and social responsibility".
If you have a woman in power, if you have a woman trained if you have a woman that knows her left and right, then she can fit into any position that you place her, and so we are so sure that the future will be bright and safer for every one of us.
In his keynote address, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, ably represented by Alhaji Jubril Abba stated the vital roles of women in the maritime sector and the ongoing effort to create a more inclusive and diverse sector.
This year the IMO has chosen the theme "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime safety to celebrate the vulnerable contributions of women in the maritime industry to highlight the importance of ensuring safe and inclusive horizons for all maritime professions.
The maritime industry has long been an essential cornerstone of global three icons, connected nations, facilitating the exchange of goods and driving economic growth across the world, their voices and contributions of women in this sector are being overlooked.
" We come together to celebrate the achievements of women in maritime, we also reaffirms our commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive maritime sector for all
"Let me seize this opportunity to recognize and applaud the incredible achievements of women in maritime seafarers, ship captains, engineers and port operators, as well as part time professionals.
With the new initiatives, mentorship programs, and advocacy, we will continue to work towards leveling the playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
NIMASA DG called upon all stakeholders in the maritime industry, governments agencies, businesses, industries, associations, and civil society to join hands in advancing the cause of gender or gender equality and ensuring equal opportunities for women at all levels in maritime, let us work together to break down those barriers.
Speaking further,"So all the women in maritime, your contributions are vital, your voices are heard, your achievements inspire us all. Together, we can harness the nation's global economy to build a more sustainable and prosperous maritime industry that benefits us all," DG assured.
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