By Fola James
The Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (CISN) has advocated for gender balance to encourage productivity and profitability in organizations.
This assertion was made at the institute’s 2019 Annual Lecture, Investiture, Awards and Convocation ceremony.
Present at the investiture are officials of Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers Council, National Inland Waterways Authority and other critical stakeholders from the nation’s transport sector.
The over 20 years institute’s convocation coincided with the annual lecture and the officially commission of the ultra-modern Princess (Dr) Vicky Haastrup Multi-Purpose Auditorium.
In his paper themed “Gender Balance: Critical Resource and Leverage for Accelerated Growth In Nigeria’s Maritime Transport Sector”, the Rector of the Institute, Prof. Alex Okwuashi averred that gender imbalance accounts for organizational retardation, insisting that gender diversity in workplace is a tool for improving productivity and profitability.
The Don stated that the place of highly skilled women in contributing to accelerated growth in the maritime transport sector can only be realized through deliberate policy change.
Okwuashi noted that though marine technology is a highly specialized field but some women have made inroad and blazed the trail as pathfinders.
Notable among such women, he explained, is the current President of the CISN, Princess (Dr) Vicky Haastrup, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of ENL Consortium and Chairman of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN).
The Rector commended Haastrup for her able leadership through which a lot of grounds have been broken to pave the way for many other women to follow in order to fulfill their life aspirations in the maritime transport sector in Nigeria.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event appealed to men to give women opportunities and stop discrimination against them.
They insist that women who combine domestic chores with office work should be encouraged to give their best.
Women were also charged to buckle up and get to the top with determination and hard work.
They described cultural and traditional inhibitions against women as outdated and not in tune with the present day reality.
The Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Commodore Duja Emma Effedua who was represented by the Academy’s Director of Maritime Services, Gabriel Eto, stated that the subjugation of women stems from chauvinism that has no rational basis because given the chance, women have proven their mettle in diverse areas of life.
Effedua stated that in Nigeria, gender inequality is mostly driven by cultural beliefs that are out of date.
Noting that women achievers abound in the maritime industry, he stated that a lot of sensitization about accomplishment and advocacy on women’s capabilities is very essential to achieve gender parity in the workplace.
Earlier, in her speech, Haastrup congratulated the fellows and graduands, charging them to be good ambassadors of the institute wherever they find themselves in life.
Her speech was read by the Chairman, Academic Advisory Board, Rear Admiral GSA Ombo (rtd).
11 students graduated with B. Sc in Transport and Logistics Management, 23 with post graduate diploma in Maritime Transport while 96 graduated in Higher Professional Diploma in Maritime Transport.
The institute also honoured six dignitaries with various Fellowship Awards.
