Maritime lawyer and lead partner at Ofianyi Chambers, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, has called on women to become intentional in ensuring that they create new opportunities to accommodate more women, particularly the younger generation, in the maritime space.
She made the call recently during an International Women’s Day 2026 Lunch Hour celebration jointly organised by the Waterside Centre NG and Integrated Oil &Gas Ltd., in Apapa, Lagos.
As guest speaker, Anishere encouraged the participating women to be committed to advancing inclusivity and promote leadership as a reflection of the kinds of values that women possess.
“As we celebrate ourselves today and always, we should reaffirm our commitment to advancing inclusion, promoting leadership, and ensure that every woman in the maritime space can strive. This is important. Don’t be selfish about it, because knowledge is power. Keep learning, keep aspiring, keep sailing and keep shattering the glass ceiling, because the ceiling will continue to be up there.
“So, our determination as women, not only breaks barriers but charts new course for the next generation of women. This year’s IWD is a powerful reminder that the journey towards equity in maritime must be intentional and sustained. You must be intentional to know your next, to know your why, to excel in all that you do as you aspire to greater heights, to earn a salary review because you are deserving of it,” Anishere said.
She commended all the organisations that have been celebrating women and encouraging the girl child as she urged women to aspire to enjoy celebrations daily, not necessarily waiting for a particular day.
She also used the opportunity to charge the women on the importance of doing a self-appraisal as a strategy to maintain excellence. “Look at yourself in the mirror in the morning. It is not only by putting on your lipsticks to enhance your looks. But you should do this as an appraisal. Ask yourself what you have been able to do, like what have I done today, this week, this month, and this year, to be able to applaud myself that I have done very well.
“I advise that you appraise yourself. Don’t wait for your company to do that. That way, you will be adding a plus to yourself. I do that myself. I have some friends who ask “what’s your why.” I take it a step further and say “what’s your next?”
In a further charge, she said, “Look inward and ask yourself the question if you would be entrusted to represent the interest of the company because you are seen as diligent. Do your self- check and determine your standing even before your company does. It is then you can say that you are in the category of women who are celebrated every 8 of March.”
Anishere wants women to sustain the momentum in the maritime industry as trail-blazers who navigate and transform a traditionally male-dominated sector. According to her, “After all, vessels are called ‘she’, because if they try to call them ‘he’ the ships won’t sail. We are women of courage. We are worthy of the celebration of the world every year.”
She is excited to see women seafarers, maritime administrators, maritime lawyers like herself, maritime media journalists, industry leaders shaping safer waters, safer seas, which is the IMO mantra.
