IWD 2020: For #EachforEqual theme, WISTA Nigeria wants inclusivity for rural women, next generation
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| President WISTA Nigeria, Eunice Ezeoke |
For the Women’s International
Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, at the heart of the #2020InternationalWomensDay celebration
is the need to bear women in rural areas along in all that means equal
opportunity to be a valuable part of the whole.
Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, at the heart of the #2020InternationalWomensDay celebration
is the need to bear women in rural areas along in all that means equal
opportunity to be a valuable part of the whole.
In that light, the women in some coastal community in Osun State, would be empowered similar to what
WISTA had done for some communities in Anambra, Enugu states, as well as Edo
State and the marine community of Epe in Lagos State, WISTA President, Eunice
Ezeoke , shared in a chat.
WISTA had done for some communities in Anambra, Enugu states, as well as Edo
State and the marine community of Epe in Lagos State, WISTA President, Eunice
Ezeoke , shared in a chat.
WISTA is also set for a sustained
support in scholarships for female cadets who have distinguished themselves
academically at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom.
support in scholarships for female cadets who have distinguished themselves
academically at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom.
Female cadets who were done with
done with coursework, have also enjoyed placements on board vessels for their
seatime training, courtesy of WISTA.
done with coursework, have also enjoyed placements on board vessels for their
seatime training, courtesy of WISTA.
Another big plan for the
president to ensure that the association strengthens the other branches in other
states.
president to ensure that the association strengthens the other branches in other
states.
Ezeoke’s task to every woman in
maritime is to ensure that they add value to the building blocks shaping the
industry. The story, she said, is for women are privileged to be in management
positions to be much more than earlier women who made sacrifices and gave their
contributions.
maritime is to ensure that they add value to the building blocks shaping the
industry. The story, she said, is for women are privileged to be in management
positions to be much more than earlier women who made sacrifices and gave their
contributions.
She said: “Women who have been
privileged to rise to management positions in maritime industry have paid some price,
because it has not been easy at all in a male-dominated industry that is also
time consuming.
privileged to rise to management positions in maritime industry have paid some price,
because it has not been easy at all in a male-dominated industry that is also
time consuming.
“It means that people before us
paid some price, so the onus lies on us to also pave the way, make some
sacrifices for the future generation. It keeps getting better because our voice
is getting stringer and making more impact.”
paid some price, so the onus lies on us to also pave the way, make some
sacrifices for the future generation. It keeps getting better because our voice
is getting stringer and making more impact.”
Speaking on the recognition accorded
WISTA due to value expressed, Ezeoke added that “For instance, in WISTA Intl’
and WISTA Nigeria, we have moved in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
from observer-status to a consultative status. It is a milestone because we
have been accorded a sitting position in the IMO.”
WISTA due to value expressed, Ezeoke added that “For instance, in WISTA Intl’
and WISTA Nigeria, we have moved in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
from observer-status to a consultative status. It is a milestone because we
have been accorded a sitting position in the IMO.”
The recognition of the Managing
Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman, as the first
woman to occupy that office means more women can attain the same position. But,
they must have valuable contributions from opportunities they have, Ezeoke
noted.
Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman, as the first
woman to occupy that office means more women can attain the same position. But,
they must have valuable contributions from opportunities they have, Ezeoke
noted.
The big dream, which is very much
achievable, according to the WISTA Nigeria President, is to have women own
fleets of vessels, tankers and occupy the vacant positions in offshore of the
oil and gas industry.
achievable, according to the WISTA Nigeria President, is to have women own
fleets of vessels, tankers and occupy the vacant positions in offshore of the
oil and gas industry.
Since UNCTAD has recognised the
contributions of Nigerian women in the maritime industry, thus making it grant
training opportunities to the women, WISTA Nigeria has planned on making the
best use of the opportunities, even as it would work towards owning its own
secretariat.
contributions of Nigerian women in the maritime industry, thus making it grant
training opportunities to the women, WISTA Nigeria has planned on making the
best use of the opportunities, even as it would work towards owning its own
secretariat.
