Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron , Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Joshua Okpo, is unhappy with the low level of participation of women in the transport industry.
Okpo expressed his mind last Thursday during the inauguration of new executives of the Akwa Ibom State branch of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). He also promised to continue to partner the newly inaugurated executives of the chapter and support the institute’s lofty ideals.
Represented by the academy’s Director, Specialised Seafarers Training Centre, Capt. Francis Kponu, the MAN Rector expressed appreciation to the former executives of the branch led by Dr. Arit Mkpandiok for uplifting it to greater heights and for contributing to manpower development in the logistics and transport sector.
According to a press release sent to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY by Siddi Mkpandiok, Head, Public Affairs of the academy; Okpo “also expressed appreciation to corporate organisations and government agencies that have deemed it necessary to sponsor cadets for training at the academy but appealed to them to grant such beneficiaries study leave to enable them have enough time to meet up with the man hours required to maximize the full benefit of their sponsorship.”
The press release also said that the National President of CILT Nigeria, Major General Usman (rtd), who was said to have spoken through an unnamed representative, challenged the new executives to surpass their predecessors’ achievements.
“The National President who emphasized on the need for succession plan advised the new executives to add value to the activities of the branch in order to remain relevant even as he called on the management and staff of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to support the branch to grow from strength to strength.”
The former Chairman of the branch, Dr. Arit Mkpandiok, while delivering a paper on Manpower Development for Women in Logistics and Transport, said that if women are carried along in the planning and execution of developmental projects, Nigeria will witness more growth than it is currently experiencing.
The new Akwa Ibom State branch executives include Dr. Engr. Innocent Ezeala, Chairman; Alfred Ekwong, Vice Chairman; and Mrs. A. A. Ikara, Women Coordinator.
Others are Ishola Yusuf, Public Relations Officer; Emmanuel Essien, Membership/Examination Officer; Hilary Efanga, Financial Secretary; and Mrs Izuka Chinda, Welfarer Officer.
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