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Proposed law to empower Nigerian Shippers’ Council as economic regulator excites Barr. Akutah 

—— pledges Council’s commitment to diversification of Nigeria’s economy 
Funso Olojo 
The on- going move by the National Assembly to give legal teeth to the status of the Nigerian Shippers’Council as the economic regulator of the maritime industry has received full support of the Council which is working assiduously to ensure the process succeeds.
Ventilating the desire of the Council over the bill that will transmute the agency to a brand new body called Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory agency, Barrister Pius Akutah Ukeyima, the Executive Secretary of NSC said the agency is a strong advocate for  the transformation.
The position of the Council was in sharp contrast with the thinking of a select stakeholders in the industry under the eagis of Maritime Advocacy Foundation which has mounted a media campaign against the proposed legislative move.
The group, in its apparent misconception and misinterpretation of the motive of the legislative process to transmute the council to
Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory agency, had declared, through its Head of Publicity, Dr Eugene Nweke, that the proposed Act will negate the interests of Nigerian Shippers which the NSC was created to protect.
However, Barrister Akutah, while on a two- day tour of Eastern ports with his management team, reiterated the position of the council in support of the legislative process.
“The council  is advocating  for the bill which would transform the agency into Nigerian  Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency” Barr Akutah told his audience in Port Harcourt.
It would be recalled that the Committee on Shipping Services in the House of Representatives has slated a public hearing on the bill for  Monday , May 27th, 2024 that will repeal the NSC Act 2004 and  replace it with Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory agency, which seeks to legalise the new status of the Council as an Economic Regulator.
However, according to Barr. Akutah, NSC as Port Economic Regulator is  working with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on port automation in order to reduce human contacts and to clearance of cargo procedures and processes seamless.
The NSC boss declared that the Council was working assiduously towards actualisation of Federal Government commitment to prioritizing the non oil sector diversification.
The visit gave the Council’s boss the opportunity to inspect Bua Port Terminal at Rivers Port, Onne Multipurpose Terminal and West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) , in Rivers State, respectively.

According to the Executive Secretary, the Federal Government is committed to making Nigeria investment hub  for investors in the country, pointing out that the issue of rail connectivity will help to reduce the cost of haulage transportation.

Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection of the facilities, the Executive Secretary said that the essence of the visit was to have an on-the spot assessment of the facilities of the terminal operators.

Given the Council’s mission at the terminal, Barr. Akutah said the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for investors in the country, as such the need to constantly visit the ports and engage the stakeholders in trade facilitation which is in line with Mr. President’s vision on Ease of Doing Business.

After the facility tours of the ports and terminals, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’Council., Barr. Akutah  also had an interactive session with major stakeholders operating at the Eastern Ports.

In his opening remarks, the ES/CEO  said the essence of the interaction session with stakeholders is to listen to the challenges that  are facing their business in- order to proffer solutions to them.

He  harped on the  benefit of stakeholders’ engagement and promised to ensure  the continuity of its collaboration with stakeholders operating at the ports.

Barr. Akutah said the Federal Government is committed to creating an  enabling environment for businesses to strive by addressing decayed infrastructure at the ports.

He promised that the Eastern ports would not be left out in the FG’s effort to address the decay infrastructure.

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IWD: SIFAX distributes 500 food packs to Ijora community, empowers staff 

Geraldine Samuel, Senior Correspondent 
In a series of impactful activities spanning a school outreach, an employee empowerment webinar and a community food donation drive, SIFAX Group has marked the 2026 International Women’s Day with a multi-pronged initiative that touched the lives of hundreds of girls, women employees and vulnerable residents in Lagos.
One of the highlights of the celebration was an outreach programme to United Christian Secondary School, Apapa, Lagos, where over 500 girls received mentorship from senior female employees of the company.
 The session covered topics such as leadership, education, personal development and menstrual health awareness.
There was also a donation of textbooks to the school, menstrual pads, as well as perfumes to the students.
The speakers drew from personal career experiences to motivate the students, urging them to remain focused on their education and resist distractions.
 They emphasised that determination and discipline could open doors across any field — from business and law to medicine, technology and the creative industries.
Jesuyemisi Odeyemi, Company Secretary and Legal Head of SIFAX Group, charged the students to strive for excellence without reservation.
 “You are strong. You can do it, and you will. You will not only do it, but you will also do it well, you will do it better,” she told the girls.
Vanessa Uansohia, Head of Corporate Communications at Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), SIFAX Group’s aviation arm, also challenged the students to confront self-limiting beliefs.
 “The only person that is stopping you is yourself,” she said, encouraging the girls to pursue their ambitions with bold confidence.
As part of internal activities to mark the day, the company also organised an interactive webinar for female employees focused on strengthening communication and leadership capacity in the workplace.
Speaking on the topic, “Speaking: A Tool for Growth, Multiplication, and Career Progression,” Public Speaking Strategist, Joyce Daniels, urged participants to embrace public speaking as a catalyst for professional advancement, noting that confidence and conviction are the cornerstones of effective communication.
“If you will grow, multiply and have progression in your career, you will speak from a place of conviction,” she said, adding that impactful leaders distinguish themselves by their willingness to boldly articulate their ideas.
Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, Group Coordinating Director, SIFAX Group, described International Women’s Day as a moment to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women while renewing the call for gender equality.
“This year’s theme, Give to Gain, resonates deeply with our mission of inclusivity and empowerment.
” Every woman is a leader in her own right, and giving back creates growth opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities,” she said.
Extending its impact beyond the workplace, SIFAX Group also carried out a community outreach to Ijora where 500 bags of assorted food items were distributed to vulnerable households.
Each pack was assembled with essential household staples — rice, beans, vegetable oil, garri and salt, carefully curated to provide tangible relief to families within the community.
The distribution was conducted in collaboration with community leaders to ensure a transparent and orderly process.
Eniola-Jegede, who coordinated the outreach, noted that the initiative reflects the organisation’s culture of compassion and its determination to give back to the communities in which it operates.
She added that the exercise was also designed to amplify the message of International Women’s Day by encouraging women within the organisation to lead community interventions that uplift vulnerable groups.
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IWD: Mobereola, NIMASA DG, celebrates women for their contributions to maritime industry 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , Dr Dayo Mobereola, has applauded the contributions of women to the development of the Nigerian Maritime industry.

In a goodwill message to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day with the theme “Give to Gain”, Dr Mobereola celebrated the strength, expertise and invaluable contributions of women to the sector, emphasising that the industry has gained progress, innovation and sustainable growth through their efforts.

According to him “I celebrate your strength, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our maritime industry.

“The theme #GiveToGain reflects your daily impact. Through your professionalism, leadership, and resilience across sea-going, regulatory, technical, and administrative roles, you give excellence and our sector gains progress, innovation, and sustainable growth.”

Mobereola further commended the dedication of women in the industry and reaffirmed his commitment to “a maritime industry where every woman is empowered to lead and thrive”.

International Women’s Day is a global observance that seeks to draw attention to challenges faced by women and the need to ensure gender equity.

This year’s theme “Give to Gain”, focuses on investing in women through resources, education, and mentorship to create a stronger, more equitable society, highlighting the fact that empowering women brings collective benefits; economies, communities, and workplaces all grow when women thrive.

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IWD: 60 percent of my aides, technical assistants are women – Danthoso, NPA MD, declares as he celebrates women.

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Danthoso, has said that he was intentional in his prioritizing  gender equality in key appointments at the NPA.

While eulogizing the role of women in the maritime industry as part of his message to women during the International Women’s Day celebration, Dr Danthoso, declared that 60 percent of his aides and technical assistants are women.

“Women hold 60 percent of these roles(personal aides and technical assistants) with men making up the remaining 40 percent.

“This intentional step underscores NPA’s commitment to advancing women’s participation and success across the maritime industry.” he stated.

Danthoso said he recognizes the remarkable contributions of to the progress and success of NPA “who continue to drive progress, break barriers, and shape a more equitable future for the sector.”

” The Nigerian Ports Authority proudly celebrates the resilience, dedication, and invaluable contributions of women in the maritime sector—including firefighting, security, piloting, engineering, hydrography, administrative and vessel-support services such as aids to navigation.

” These remarkable women are excelling even in roles that traditionally demand male-kind of strength”

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