Secretary-General, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Keith Newton was in Nigeria on Friday to confer with officials of the institute’s local branch.
As part of his visit, Newton undertook a tour of various terminals at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) Apapa and also paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman.
He was conducted on the port tour by the LPC Port Manager, Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, who is a leading member of the institute and President of CILT’s women wing – the Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT).
“Nigeria is the fastest growing institute which is growing at about 30% each year compared to other institutes in all the countries in the world,” Newton declared during a meeting with the NPA Managing Director.
He said, “This is the third time I will be visiting CILT Nigeria and I can see the drastic improvement in the works they have done in the logistics and transport sector and I am sure when I return to give the Board of Directors feedback on my mission here, CILT Nigeria will be approved for certification of education and membership totally.”
The National President of CILT Nigeria, Ibrahim Jibril, while speaking during the visit, requested for collaboration with NPA.
“I was told that the former Managing Directors of NPA like Mallam Bello Gwandu and Chief Adebayo Sarumi were very particular about having a professional certification from CILT after one to two years of employment but for many years that has not happened in time past,” he said.
“We have come to pay a visit for the renewal of this old relationship we have had with NPA which will enable professional collaboration both for mutual benefits between NPA and CILT Nigeria for effective logistics and transport sector,” he said.
Also speaking, the President/Global Convener of the Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, who doubles as the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, expressed appreciation the NPA Managing Director for her support to WILAT.
“Let me publicly appreciate you for all your support and to let you know we are truly proud of you,’ she said.
NPA Managing Director, Hadiza Bala-Usman described CILT as a platform for developing professionalism.
“I will want to have a copy of your presentations which entails the objectives, goals and benefits of your institute and I will want to see your bills to enable me initiate whatever is required to get to the rightful persons in charge.
“I will want to see the value of what I can add before initiating proposals and as relating to the professional certification of staffs, we would have a meeting to discuss the need to recognise professional certificates and how it can improve and impact on placement and promotion in the authority,” she said.
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