By Chinyere Aruogu
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside has charged member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to eradicate the scourge of piracy in the sub region in order to grow the economy.
He did while delivering a goodwill message at the delocalised meeting of the Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Parliament, and also said the fight against piracy must be a collective responsibility of member states to be successful.
Peterside said: “The theme of this meeting, Maritime Security and the Fight Against Piracy: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament in the Implementation of the Integrated Maritime Security Policy of ECOWAS could not have been more timely coming exactly one month after the signing of the Lome Charter on Maritime Security, Safety and Development in Africa by Heads of government in Africa under the auspices of the African Union.”
Speaking further, he observed that the adoption of the ECOWAS Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) and the 2012 Yaoundé declaration of the Heads of States and Governments of Central and West African States on Maritime Safety and Security was a clear demonstration of the critical role of the ECOWAS parliament in ensuring Safety and Security of the sub region’s shipping and maritime transportation, including the territorial waters and the seas.
The objectives of these two sub-regional instruments are in sync with the goals of the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 which culminated into the signing of a Charter on Maritime security, safety and development in Africa on October 15, 2016.
While acknowledging that the ocean provides a unique opportunity to optimize the benefits of the blue economy and to provide special opportunities to tap into the benefits of nature, he urged the participants to engage in sensitising member countries on a harmonised legal framework that will ensure safe, secure shipping and cleaner oceans in the ECOWAS sub-region.
His words: “Our economies are unfortunately tied to the prospects of the ocean; the ocean is the medium for which most of our trade and transactions are conducted, the ocean also provides a unique opportunity for us to optimize the benefits of the blue economy and a special opportunity for us to tap into the benefits of nature.”
The Joint Committee on Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Parliament which met in Lagos is aimed at developing implementation strategies against maritime piracy and related crimes in the West African Region.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Jibril, Director of Administration and Human Resources department of NIMASA has been elected the President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria.
At the election which held in Abuja during the Institute’s Annual General Meeting, Jibril polled 272 votes to defeat outgoing Deputy National President of CILT and former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Professor Kayode Oyesiku who scored 48 votes.
Jibril who was until his election the Vice President of CILT International has had over 33 years cognate experience in the transport and logistics industry.
In NIMASA, Jibril has at various times held the positions of Director of Planning Research and Data Management Services department and also headed Human Resources, Public Relations and Maritime Capacity Building Units of the Agency.
He holds a diploma and Professional Licence in Aircraft Engineering, a degree in Public Administration and a Master degree in International Law and Diplomacy. Jibril is currently studying for the award of a Ph.D in Public Policy and Administration.
As an active member of the CILT, Jibril chaired the Local Organising Committee that hosted the CILT Africa Forum in Nigeria. He is credited with facilitating the provision of the current Corporate Office of the Institute by NIMASA, according to a statement by NIMASA spokesperson, Lami Tumaka.
A thoroughbred professional, Jibril is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT) and the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM) and holds the highest honourary membership as the Companion of the Nautical Institute, London.
Jibril who holds the royal title of the Magayakin Zazzau of the Zazzau Emirate Council in Kaduna State is married with children.