A new association known as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Women in Security (WIS) has been unveiled in Lagos.
Speaking at the unveiling of the association at the NPA Sports Complex in Surulere, Lagos on Friday, the Coordinator of WIS, Mrs Gloria Ayika, said NPA Women in Security was borne out of a compelling need to create a platform for women serving in the security unit of NPA to interact and learn from one another.
Mrs Ayika, who is also the Port Security Officer (PSO) of Onne Port, Rivers State, said the group was formed in 2021.
She said the launch of the association also offers opportunity to formally send-off female NPA security officers who retired recently.
“Being a strong woman is very important to me but doing it all on my own is not. We have to chart our path together to achieve a common goal,” she said.
She said being a security officer is a noble profession, which is generally perceived to be a male dominated field but by creation, a woman, as an integral part of the society, is always there to protect her family, job and other people around her.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was represented at the event by Mrs Sarah Balah, emphasized that NPA recognizes the place of women in the society.
The NPA boss commended the new group, and encouraged its members to work together “to achieve greater goals”.
The Acting General Manager Security of NPA, Bathlomew Onyenakiara, commended the mind behind the establishment of the new association.
“We believe that your collective efforts will yield great results and outstanding accomplishments and you have the support of the GM of the Security division in every way possible,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the retired female security personnel for their contribution to the development of NPA during their active service years.
Also speaking at the event, former Executive Director, Marine and Operations of NPA, Ms Elizabeth Aina Egharevba, described the creation of the new group as a commendable initiative. She emphasized that women must support one another, even as she encouraged retired staff to “look inwards, create new businesses, annex the talents given to them by God and continue to strive to be better women”.
Former Port Manager of Rivers Port, Mrs Caroline Ufere commended the founders of the NPA Women in Security for forming the association and for honouring their retired colleagues.
Ufere, who retired from NPA as a General Manager, said the new group will foster cordial relationships and encourage young female NPA staff to serve the organisation to the best of their abilities. Former Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Mrs Olufunmilayo Olotu said the launch of the new group proves that when given the opportunity, “women will do their things differently”.
Olotu saluted the founder of the NPA Women in Security for the initiative. She said security personnel are the frontliners in the organisation.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to retired female NPA security officers including Juliana Oyenuga, Anunobi Ugonma, Ijeoma Agwu and Umanah Rita, who all retired as Assistant Managers. Other award recipients include Charity Ugo, Ikuomola Tola, Audu Eleojo and Alawode Omolayo.