By Stephen Ubanna
Unlike Bashir Jamoh, OFR, the immediate past Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, who had pursued a three point agenda in his four years in office, which had terminated on March 10, 2024, who had pursued a three-point programme, maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Ship development, tagged’’ the 3S’’ may have left office but his achievements speaks for him.
, Dayo Mobereola, a-one time Commissioner of Transportation under Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the present governor of Lagos state, and his successor with international experience in Transportation management appears to have designed a different agenda to run the agency in the next four years.
The former Lagos state Commissioner of Transportation who had served as the state former Managing Director of Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, which may have exposed him to much information about the operations about the country’s maritime agencies such as NIMASA, National Inland Water Authority, NIWA and Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, now in the ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, under the close watch of Oyetola Adegboyega, a former governor of Osun state.
This may have informed why Mobereola, the NIMASA, new Director General, had drawn his agenda which he had said is ‘’to build a purpose –driven organization , while also prioritizing effective communication at all levels to enhance innovation , collaboration and synergy with other agencies.
Although, the NIMASA, urbane new Chief Executive Officer, may not have mentioned categorically to pursued the same three-point agenda of his predecessor which included maritime safety, maritime security and ship development but he may have sent a message to the sea pirates, sea robbers and other criminal elements in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea hat the new Management will sustain the tempo of anti-piracy of the previous Management of the agency.
Osagie Edward, an Assistant Director and the agency spokesperson, disclosed that he noted in his maiden address on his assumption of duty on Friday, March 22, 2024, he would ‘’prioritize maritime safety, maritime security , environmental sustainability amongst others, in the next four years of his Leadership of the Management of the Maritime Regulatory agency.
Appealing to the staff and Management of the agency that they must strive ‘’to foster innovation and excellence in everything they do’’, as the global maritime industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements’’, he stated that it is ‘’the only to enhance efficiency, competitiveness and resilience in the country’s maritime operations.
He was : emphatic,’’ I do not doubt that every individual within the agency has the potential to achieve greatness ‘’. This may have encouraged him to repeatedly reiterate that the current Management under his Leadership will strive ‘’to build a purpose driven organization by investing in the staff, processes, and the entire system to achieve the agency mandate.
He did not stop there. He was said to have made it clear to those that cares to listen his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to oversee the affairs of NIMASA, will give him opportunity to aim ‘’to foster an environment of innovation, collaboration, and synergy with other agencies, particular, the Nigerian Navy, which currently has Emmanuel Ogalla, a Vice Admiral,,, as the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, whose Naval personnel and soldiers, armed to the teeth had invaded neighouring Igbomotaru Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayela, home state of former President Goodluck Jonathan, described a hideout for the militants who were said to have killed the sixteen solders on a peace mission in Okuama Community of Delta state recently in five gun boats.
Mobereola was said to have used the opportunity provided him as the new helmsman of NIMASA, to express gratitude to the Nigerian President’’ for trusting him with the responsibility of steering the ship of the agency ’’.The NIMASA boss, who could not his feelings had said that he is ‘’aware of the immense trust and confidence the President has on him and therefore will do everything within his powers to fulfill his mandate.
Hear him: I step into this position, as the Director General of NIMASA, ‘’fully committed to steering the agency toward greater heights, while holding the highest standards of integrity, diligence and service to the nation’’. This is in addition ‘’to creating an atmosphere that encourages the development of the employees’ skills, talents and creativity’’.
The NIMASA CEO, who had pledged his Loyalty and readiness to work with Oyetola, the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was said to have thanked him ‘’for his guidance throughout the appointment process’’ , reassuring him of going to join forces with other CECOs of other Maritime agencies under the ministry to ensure that the objectives of setting up a ministry by President Tinubu was realized.
Chudi Ofodile, the agency Executive Director, Finance and Administration , who had been holding brief as the acting Director General of the agency when Jamoh, the Kaduna state born technocrat vacated the office , when his tenure ended on March 10, 2024, to pave way for a successor to take over as his tenure was not renewed for another four-year old term , was said to have assured Mobeereola, the new NIMASA , boss that the entire Management and staff of the agency are happy to welcome on board, pledging their cooperation and support to ensure the success of the implementation of the programmes of the agency in the years ahead.
