The exit of an Iconic Shipping Magnate

 The exit of an Iconic Shipping Magnate 

The announcement of the death of Barrister (Mrs) Margaret Nkem Onyema-Orakwusi, a revered maritime practitioner has again put the entire maritime industry into another grieving mood. 

An industry yet to recover from the loss of Otunba Kunle Folarin, another maritime beacon, who also passed on to the glory of God late last year.

Barrister Orakwusi died on April 28th, 2023 after a brief illness as announced via a statement by her children-Ezinma Ileka, Binyelum, and Ody Orakwusi.

Prior to her demise, Barrister Mrs Onyema Orakwusi was the first female President, Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) 2008 – 2011. She was one of the founding partners of Consolidated Legal Practise; a foremost maritime lawyer and Chairman of Nigerian Ship Owners Forum. 

She has handled varieties of cases involving acts committed on the high seas and other navigable waters, including:  cargo claims, collision, limitation of liability, personal injury, salvage, marine liability, vessel arrests, seamen and longshoreman injuries, various types of liens, warranty issues, vessel mortgage and documentation, salvage, vessel fires and vessel repair disputes.

Compassionate in putting people’s lives first, Barrister Orakwusi had consistently adopts soft skills and emotional intelligence that brings desirable professional attributes to both politics and businesses alike.

Greatly, many eulogises her contributions to the maritime industry at large, as she left behind an indelible mark which will continue to be cherished in the industry.

She was a recipient of several awards both locally and internationally, and was known for her major areas that includes- Company law, Maritime law, Criminal law, among others. 

Barrister Onyema-Orakwusi also served as the first Chairperson, Women Corporate Directors (WCD) Nigeria between 2012 and 2016.

May the Almighty grant her eternal rest and forgive her Short Comings.

French Ocean Liner Imposes $250 on Nigeria Bound Cargo from Asian Countries

French Ocean Liner Imposes $250 excess fee on Nigeria-Bound Cargo from Asian Countries 

The French ocean carrier, CMA CGM, has imposed an excess fee of $250(N184,250) on all Nigeria--Bound 20 feet dry containers from Asia, India and East Coast. 

According to the French ocean liner, the surcharge, called overweight surcharge(OWS), has already taken effect from April 28th, 2023.

”The French ocean carrier will implement a fee of US$250 per 20′ dry container with a container gross weight equal to or over 18 tons from China, South East Asia, North East Asia and the East Coast of India to the Nigerian Ports of Tin Can, Apapa and Onne" it says.

CMA CGM said the surcharge will be applicable to short-term contracts (three months and below )only.

Why Women Leadership Matters

'Why Women Leadership Matters'.- MAJAN President

ZAINAB JUNAID

While technical skills and knowledge are fundamental to everyday businesses and politics, women consistently adopts soft skills and emotional intelligence that brings desirable professional attributes to both politics and businesses alike.

As all Nigerian women joined their female gender counterparts to celebrate International Women's Day globally today, the President General, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Comrade Ray Ugochukwu, has congratulated Nigerian women both home and in diaspora on the occasion, and stressed on how the positive impact of women in leadership role would be if given more opportunities by the Nigerian Government especially, to pertake more in governance and political affairs of the country.

Comrade Ray, who is highly gender sensitive, opined that the country should encouraged more women in leadership roles .

His words, "Women are good administrators in public offices and are also government within the families. Many Nigerian women have excelled in their various careers and should be commended for their steadfastness and resilience.

"Women are very special people in the society. They are our daughters, sisters and mothers. So, we use this special occasion to honour and rejoice with them," he said. 

Women generally, are always compassionate in putting people’s lives first – which also turns out to be best for the economy in the long run. Especially in area of transparency, flexibility and a willingness to admit mistakes; clear, consistent communication and encouraging values of cooperation and empathy.  They always put a premium on sustainability, both in politics and in businesses. 

The MAJAN President further described International Women's Day celebration as a well thought-out occasion meant to honour women for their tremendous contributions to national development and called on government to create a level playing ground for more women to thrive in entrepreneurship.

NAWOJ Story

International Women's Day: NAWOJ Tasks Women on Leadership Role in Society 

ZAINAB JUNAID

Ahead of the commemoration of the 2023 International Women's Day on March 8, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, has urged women to unite and take their rightful place in leadership.

The association's Chairperson, Mrs Adeola Ekine, made this call stating that women needs to keep advocating for their rights and also pertake in leadership and decision-making role in various sectors of the society.

Ekine explained that anytime women acquired or attained leadership position, they always depict imaginative perspectives and always bring structural and cultural differences to the table to drive effective and unbiased solutions.

She therefore, urged women all over the world to support each other in taking their rightful place in leadership.

Her words, “International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide on the 8th of March. The UN theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ”Digital Innovation and technology for gender equality. The aim of International Women’s Day 2023 is for everybody to truly embrace equity. “It is not just something to say or write about, it is what we need to think about, know, value, embrace, believe and imbibe that equity is creating an inclusive world.

She went further that as stakeholders, women should be ready to call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion.

”Collective activism is what drives change from grassroots action to wide-scale momentum. Forging gender equity isn’t limited to women, men should also be part of the campaign to show that the change has come to stay. This is important for the social, economic, cultural, and political advancement of women,” Ekine said.

When people embrace equity, they embrace diversity, inclusion, equity to forge harmony and unity to help drive success for all. For equality is the goal and equity is the means to get there. ”Through the process of equity, all can reach equality," she maintained.

Recommendations for effective SAATM implementation

Disparity SAATM Policy: AFRAA SG outlined recommendations for effective Implementation 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), Mr Abderahmane Berthe, has outlined necessary recommendations needed to effect the disparity in the implementation of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) policy.

Mr Berthe made these recommendations while speaking on the topic: “Harnessing of SAATM Opportunities for the Industry – Airline Implementation Programme”, at the ongoing 69th Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Conference which ran through February 25 to March 3, 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. 

SAATM Policy which was meant to be a crucial stepping-stone to make air travel a reality for African citizens and to grow regional air transport that wil drive economic growth and transform lives in African Regions, has been a lipservice programme that does not favor many African member countries. 

In relation to this development, Mr Berthe elaborated the status updates on ongoing actions of the Air Transport Sustainability – SAATM Roadmap, the connectivity drivers as well as industry initiatives by various stakeholders on SAATM. 

With regards to status of direct flights and 5th freedom flights in Africa, Mr Berthe noted that 85% of intra-African flights are directs while 15% connecting with one stop or more. Among those direct flights, 5th freedom represent only 21%, while the share of 3rd and 4th freedom flights is 79%. 

To him, AFRAA data hub revealed that ASKY airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways were the only African airlines operating the highest number of 5th freedom routes. African airlines operate only 14% of their direct flights on 5th freedom while 86% on 3rd and 4th freedom. Non-African carriers operate a most important share of their direct flights in 5th freedom in Africa. 

With regards to granting of 5th freedom traffic rights by African States, AFRAA reporting framework by its member airlines showed that among 8 (eight) reporting airlines, some have mentioned traffic rights denial by 11 African states. 

AFRAA Secretary General thus outlined the following recommendations as a mechanism that will enhance effective implementation of SAATM. 

• African States to be willing and ready to implement SAATM and to stop denial of 5th freedom traffic rights to African airlines. 

• Governments to stop over taxation of aviation. 

• Air transport stakeholders to collaborate to implement the roadmap of the air transport sustainability that was developed by the 2022 Laboratory. 

• Reduce costs along the air transport value chain. 

• Collaboration among airlines to improve connectivity and deliver a better service quality. 

• Right size fleet strategy to improve routes profitability and to connect secondary airports. 

• States, industry, airports to work together to implement the African Routes Development Strategy forum.

NIGAV AND SAHCO

 NIGAV Felicitates with SAHCO for Emerging 'Best Passenger Check In Company' of the Year

ZAINAB JUNAID

Organisers of Nigerian Aviation Award (NIGAV) has commended Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc for bagging the Best Passenger Front Desk Check-In Company of the Year award.

The Chief Host of the event, Mr. Fortune Idu praised SAHCO for it's consistency in ensuring topnotch services to clients by deploying modern Ground Support Equipment.

He explained that winners are selected through public voting without any interference from the organisers.

Receiving the award, SAHCO’s Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, who was represented by Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia, Head, Corporate Communications, said the award will spur SAHCO’s commitment to always deliver quality services to her numerous clients in addition to exceeding clients’ expectations. She thanked the organizers for nominating SAHCO and extended appreciation to voters who voted for SAHCO.

It could be recalled that SAHCO recently received the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9001:2015) certification for Quality Management system. ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard that identifies requirements for quality management system (QMS) which organisations use to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customers’ and regulatory requirements.

The company is RA3 Certified, a requirement for Ground Handling Companies to confirm that they meet the security requirement for screening air cargo and mail entering European countries, also SAHCO is IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certified. 

NIGAV award is a celebration of aviation excellence with an objective to unify and create industry harmony. It is also aimed at engineering healthy competition for safer air service delivery and promotion of development in the air transport community.

The event which was in its 12th edition was attended by the crème de la crème of the aviation industry including the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika and was themed "The coming of a new era."

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who was the Chairman of the occasion, had this to say, “Nigeria Aviation Award, NIGAV Award, has over the years hosted the high and mighty, and captains of the industry and as such has set an example of balancing industry performance with recognition for diligent work and services which continues to inspire healthy competition and best practices amongst the players.”

 

Nigerian Chamber of Shipping

Aminu Umar Emerges 7th President of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping

ZAINAB JUNAID

Following the expiration of the second tenure of Mr. Andy Isichei, Executive Vice Chairman of ACI Holdings, as President of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), the Managing Director of Sea Transport Group, Mr. Aminu Umar has been elected as the 7th President of the Chamber.

Aminu who was elected at the recent Governing Council meeting of NCS, will be viced by the former Director General of the NCS, Mrs. Ify Anazonwu- Akerele.

Aminu is a seasoned professional in Shipping Operations and a member of various ministerial committees. He runs a company whose interest spans Ship husbandry, Ship Management, Crew Management and energy transportation before been elected as NCS President.

He is also a leading indigenous ship owner and operator in Nigeria and his emergence as President of NCS is definitely a square peg in a square hole! The Nigerian Chamber of Shipping is poised for greater success under his leadership.

NCS was formed in 2002 with the primary objective of ensuring that the domestic Shipping Industry participates fully in all Commercial Services in the Nigerian Coastal waters and beyond.

Being a member of the Board of International Chamber of Shipping, NCS is committed through her advocacy mandate to ensuring that Nigeria Maritime industry takes its place in the comity of maritime nations.