The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman has advised women to seek professional careers in shipping and the maritime sector, noting that it would not only boost productivity, by enabling them directly and more meaningfully contribute their desired quota, but also encourage the men to work harder.
The NPA Boss indicated this on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 2019 Day of the Seafarer, which was celebrated in Lagos by the LTT/ HPI group, noting that women can perfectly combine wonderful careers in seafaring with happy marriages and good parenting.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Empowering Gender Equality in the Maritime Sector’, Hadiza who was ably represented by the General Manager, Marine and Operations, Capt. Jerome Angyunwe called attention to the position of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which highlighted that despite education, enhanced technology and enlightenment, women participation in the shipping sector was still abysmally low.
She spoke glowingly on gender equality, identifying it as a solution towards overcoming many other challenges; and encouraged women, particularly the African woman to go into it.
She stressed the need for gender equality, highlighting that productivity will actually soar, if gender equality is sincerely pursued.
“The International Maritime Organization encourages it. The Nigerian Government encourages it. The Ports Authority encourages it; the LTT/HPI encourages it; and even men themselves have seen that if they have women amongst them, they can work harder, because they also feel more relaxed”, she indicated further.
She stressed the need for gender equality, highlighting that productivity will actually soar, if gender equality is sincerely pursued.
