Lagos
The Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, has assured the youth of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) of her support to enable them develop capacity to grow the nation’s maritime industry.
Bala-Usman gave the assurance in a statement signed by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications and Strategy of NPA, Malam Ibrahim Nasiru on Sunday in Lagos.
Nasiru qouted Bala-Usman as having made the assurance after the inauguration of the NPA’s Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport CILT codenamed: NPA/CILT NEXT GENERATION CHAPTER held during the weekend in Lagos.
The MD, however, urged youths of the organisation to unite and explore opportunities in CILT for development of not only their individual careers, but also the progress of the nation’s maritime sector.
She observed that such efforts by the youth would give people like her, the confidence that the future would be better.
Bala-Usman also urged deligent, committed young people to continue the searching for knowledge and professional development, adding that the sky could only be the limit for the industry.
“The inauguration of the youth association will give the antecedent and personal experiences, where youths have been found to be unable to accept responsibilities and take advantage of opportunities at their disposal for their future growth and advancement.
“In my experience, I have come to realise that one of the greatest pitfalls of youths is the inability to quickly come to terms with the responsibility that the future places on them.
“When youths do not understand the roles that they have in the future for the society, they are unable to explore the opportunities that the present offers them and build the necessary capacity for the future.
“On a lot of occasions when opportunity falls on the laps of young people, they are not sufficiently prepared to make the best of those opportunities to the benefit of the society.
“This is why I am happy about NPA/CILT Next Generation Chapter,’’ she added.
“It is heartwarming that you have not just come together as one would expect of every staffer of any organisation that aspires for progress. But you should also make it a point of duty to develop yourselves and build the capacity of your members, through your regular zoom webinar series.
“I encourage you not to relent in these efforts. Regardless of the challenges that you face, be rest assured that you will reap the reward of every investment that you put into the initiatives in the future to the benefits of yourself, the maritime industry and Nigeria, at large.”
She, however, solicited the support of NPA’s management for the youth in every activity geared toward developing their capacity for efficiency.
The NPA boss thanked CILT Institute for honouring her with award and promised to continue to make them proud in the course of single-minded mission of making NPA and ports industry re-positioned to play a leading role in the sub-region.
The National President of CILT, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, advised members of the youth chapter to put in their best and collaborate with other sister organisations and, most importantly, align with the vision of NPA, premise on the imperative of building efforts around excellent service delivery.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of merit awards to deserving individuals, led by the MD, NPA and the immediate past General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications (C&SC), Engr. Jatto A. Adams.
Other award recipients are Pharm. Mrs Christy E. Akpa,GM, Medical Services, Mr Innocent Gamboro Umar GM, BS/LA, Mrs Josephine Moltok, AGM London Office, Mrs Olufunmilayo Olotu, Port Manager, Lagos Ports Complex LPC, Principal Manager SERVICOM, Calabar Port.
Mrs Funmilayo Loremikan, FCILT and Principal Manager C&SC, Calabar Port, Dr Chijioke Ukadike also went home with award.
