Nigeria’s candidate Dr. Paul Adalikwu has emerged the new Secretary-General of the Maritime organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA).
He was elected in the just concluded election during the Ordinary session of the General Assembly of Maritime Organization of West and Central African (MOWCA) in Accra Ghana on Thursday November 18, 2021.
Minister of State for Transportation Sen. Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki who led the Nigerian delegation, had vigorously campaigned for countries present, to vote and have faith in Nigeria. She emphasized on the need for a strong leadership with competence and focus.
She said: “What we expected is complete re-engineering of the Maritime domain within west and central Africa. What COVID did was that, it showed everybody that at the end of the day, we will have your own backing at your own home, so we really need to strengthen that. We really need to compete on the world stage. We should not limit ourselves.
“Do you know that one of us had to fly from Congo to Paris first before you could get a flight to Ghana? We need more interconnectivity within ourselves and that can only happen by strong unions and associations,” She said.
Dr Paul, In his acceptance speech, appreciated the Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi for seeking the approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make him Nigeria’s candidate for the post of Secretary-General of a Regional Organisation that controls maritime activities in 25 countries of the west and central Africa sub-region.
He stated, “It is on record that this is the very first time in the life of the Organisation that Nigeria indicated interest to contest for the exalted position of Secretary-General of the body. By your enormous support and votes, you have this day placed on me the burden and challenge of properly placing MOWCA on the pedestal of executing the mandate of its founding fathers which is anchored on effective maritime trade and marine environmental protection among members of the sub-region, Africa and the world in general.
“I do acknowledge the role of maritime trade to global economy and I pledge that during my tenure as SG-MOWCA, the region will not just be a maritime trade highway, but will witness a revolutionary turn around in trading activities, marine health and security in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) among member States leveraging on the Deep Blue maritime security infrastructure project championed by Nigeria.
Africa is so highly endowed to have positive impact on trading activities within its maritime domain and I will work very assiduously to see that we take our proper place in the global maritime space.
“My warmest regards to Senator Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, Minister of State, Transportation of Nigeria. She has doggedly championed the campaign activities in her capacity as the Chairperson of Nigeria’s election Planning Committee. Senator Saraki indeed proved herself, the amazon, resolute and resilient, never giving up and never getting tired even when it appeared that the election was taking a nosedive.
“My sincere appreciations to my Permanent Secretary, the indefatigable Dr. Magdalene Ajani for meticulously ensuring that things were done rightly and when the need to take a stand came, she did took a stand; Heads of Maritime Agencies of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maritime Stakeholders and members of the diplomatic corps of member states who all worked to ensure that we have this day. May I most sincerely thank the Chairman for rising up to salvage the image of the Organisation. My sincere commendations go to the out-going Secretary General who I will most times call upon for expert advice in the course of discharging my duties.
“Finally, by your votes, you have entered a contract with me and I pledge to keep the terms and work for the revival of MOWCA. I will not fail you.”