It is encomiums galore for Nigeria’s top port administrator and business icon, Princess (Dr.) Vicky Haastrup as she formally assumes the duties of President of Nigeria’s leading maritime training institution – the Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN) – today.
Haastrup’s investiture as the fourth President of CISN holds today at Rockview Hotel, Apapa with several dignitaries billed to grace the event.
After a highly successful and meritorious career in senior positions at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) spanning over two decades, Princess Haastrup made a grand entry into the Nigerian maritime space as Chief Executive Officer of ENL Consortium Nigeria Limited in 2006. This was shortly after Nigeria’s port concession programme, which saw ENL emerge as one of the concessionaires at the nation’s gateway as it won both the technical and financial bids to operate Terminals C and D of the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa.
Immediately she assumed duties at the port, she set out to clean the augean stable at her terminals, doing away with inefficient processes, ensuring heavy investments in man and machine and of course, flushing out touts and hangers-on, popularly known as ‘wharf rats’ in the port.
Princess Haastrup, who is the wife of the first Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, has made indelible marks in the maritime industry within a space of ten years. In 2015, ENL Consortium did the country proud on the global scene as it emerged as the best terminal operator for Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent at the 2015 Seatrade Awards held in Dubai, UAE. It was the first time any Nigerian company would win the coveted award.
In recognition of her sterling qualities, her fellow concessionaires appointed her Chairman of their association – the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN).
Haastrup was honoured in 2008 with a honorary doctorate degree by the Ladoke Akinola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho. She has also been honoured with several personal and corporate awards by various groups and professional bodies in the maritime industry.
In 2015, she campaigned vigorously for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and also offered financial support to the party.
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