Nigeria’s former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has been confirmed as the Chairman of the fourth edition of the annual Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) billed for March 10 – 12, 2014, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Confirmation of Babaginda’s chairmanship was a highpoint of the first meeting of the NIMAREX 2014 Planning Committee, which held yesterday in Lagos after the Committee’s inauguration last month.
Expressing joy that Babangida had given his word to be Chairman of NIMAREX 2014, the Planning Committee Chairman, Barrister (Mrs.) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, said that choice of the Minna, Niger State-born retired General was devoid of political, ethnicity or religious considerations.
Noting that Babangida’s choice was devoid of whatever divisive tendencies, Onyema-Orakwusi explained that NIMAREX was retaining the tradition of having a former Head of State as Chairman of each edition, in order to tap from the experience of such personalities.
The nation’s former Heads of State, whom she described as “NIMAREX Brand Ambassadors”, according to her, away from office, could be better positioned to have better perspectives on issues.
Onyema-Orakwusi said that great efforts were on to get President Goodluck Jonathan honour NIMAREX 2014 with his presence, noting that the attendance of the President will add fillip to the event.
She expressed hopes that the prestige and international flavour of NIMAREX will receive a boost when former Heads of State of other West African countries feature.
On the impact of NIMAREX, Onyema-Orakwusi posited that the annual event is a platform that has created great opportunities, impacting on policy formulation within the short period of existence.
“NIMAREX has exposed and addressed most of the problems we have in the industry,” she said.
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