By Innocent Orok
On 28th February, 2024, maritime industry stakeholders, captain of industries , politicians , friends and well-wishers have gathered at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suits in Lagos State to honour the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA), Dr Bashir Yusuf JAMOH OFR as “Maritime Man of the Year 2023″.
The hall was jam-packed with prominent personalities from all walk of life to celebrate Dr JAMOH ” Mr Blue Economy”.
All in their speeches and goodwill messages extol the administrative prowess of Dr JAMOH as the man who has repositioned the Nigerian maritime sector to become a pride of other nations .
Jamoh who was bestowed with the prestigious “Maritime Man of the Year” award by the Maritime Media Limited, publishers of Shipping World Magazine attracted dignitaries who gathered at his investiture which held at Eko Hotels .
Blazing the trail of stakeholders commendation on Dr Jamoh, Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, who was represented by Senator Lawal Aliyu , described the NIMASA boss as the best export Nigeria has gotten and that Kaduna State is very proud of him.
“Nigeria has seen the value in Dr Bashir Jamoh and this was why he was conffered with the National Award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is also a holder of many several chieftaincy titles across Nigeria including Batona of Akure.
“He is one of the best exports we have in Nigeria and Kaduna State is very proud of him. The Blue Economy he is marshaling out is one that is going to benefit the whole nation greatly ” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Media Limited, Elder Asu Beks described Dr Jamoh as the champion of the Blue Economy in Nigeria as far as awareness creation is concerned.
“Jamoh made no ambiguity over the fact that he was going to prioritize these three critical areas which also represent the core mandate of NIMASA.It therefore did not take long before this commitment became manifest.
“One of his major accomplishments was ridding the Nigerian maritime space of criminality for which he has received a lot commendation including the IMO, Dr Kitack Lim, the then Secretary General of the IMO had penned a letter to Jamoh commending him for turning around the near pariah status which the Nigerian Maritime space and indeed the Gulf of Guinea had become. This achievements can be better appreciated when viewed against the background that in the preceding years, hardly did a day go by without an incidence of piracy, sea robbery and kidnapping for ransom, which had led to insurers to charge ‘war risk premium’ on Nigeria bound cargo. But this dispensation, Nigeria has gone more than a year without a single incidence.
“Using the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project, Jamoh has successfully reduced the incidence of piracy, kidnapping, armed robbery at sea and other such incidences to the barest minimum. It is on record that for the first time in many years, Nigeria did not record any piracy incident for more than one calendar year since March 2022.
“The Deep Blue Project, a comprehensive approach to tackling maritime insecurity combines technology, water, air and land arsenals with trained professionals on a round the clock basis to ensure that the success achieved so far is sustained . Platforms have also been provided to enhance flag administration and Port State Control as well as effective enforcement of relevant maritime conventions and protocols.
“The administration has also made a bold step towards improving vessel navigation by embarking on an ambitious project of wreck removal which is still ongoing. Dr. Jomah’s administration has also gone ahead to put on place all the components that make a maritime administration effective.
“These include strengthening the agency’s capacity for Search and Rescue operations including construction of befitting Search and Rescue Base clinics at all the agency’s operational zones. On the way to achieving this feat, Dr. Jamoh sought and extensively engaged stakeholders on this and many other issues plaguing the industry” Elder Asu Beks stated.
Representative of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Phillip Heyl said the IMO is very proud of the NIMASA boss, adding that “He is a fantastic representation of Nigeria who has done more for the reputation of Nigeria in the maritime world more than anyone in a long time”
Heyl said Jamoh’s performance in the maritime sector has brought immense benefits to Nigeria before the maritime nations. He particularly said the NIMASA DG has done so much for the country, adding that this has helped in promoting the good image of Nigeria among maritime nations.
Congratulating the NIMASA DG for the award, Heyl described Jamoh as a very credible industry personality who is well focused to achieve so much for the country.
Another member of the IMO representative who attended the event, Patricia Davies, of the British High Commission while congratulating Jamoh said the team has worked closely with the NIMASA DG.
The Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola also congratulated the NIMASA DG for being selected for the award .
Oyetola who was represented at the event by a Director in the Ministry, Hon. Babatunde Bombata, said the award was an indication of the efforts by Jamoh to deliver for the progress of the sector.
According to him, the award shows that his contributions in the maritime sector are of immense value.
President General of the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN), Comrade Adeyanju described Dr Jamoh as a proactive leader who does not promise and fail, but believes in the welfare of the workers.
He said members of the Union were proud of Jamoh for his contributions in the sector.
Describing Jamoh as a man of wisdom, Adeyanju said the NIMASA DG believes so much in the welfare of the maritime workers.
The labour leader said all the promises made by Jamoh to the maritime workers were all delivered, adding that this this showed how much he loved the workers.
On his part, frontline ship owner and Chairman of Starz Group, Eng. Greg Ogbeifun narrated how Dr Jamoh became DG of NIMASA during a very difficult time of the Covid 19 pandemic. According to him, Jamoh has ever since been on his toes as far as industry issues are concerned.
Responding, the NIMASA boss dedicated his success to his Executive management team and staff , adding that without the agency staff behind him, he would not be able to receive all the honors and commendations he is getting.
He also acknowledged his mentor, the former DG of the agency, Alhaji Muniru Jafar, who according to Jamoh brought him into the maritime industry and shaped his focus to be the man he is today.
“There is still a lot of things undone, we are yet to get to the promise land as far as maritime industry is concerned, what have today is just building the foundation. The fact is that we have seen some prospects in where we are going to” he said
Other dignitaries who graced the event were, Prince Olayiwola Shittu who was the Chief Host, Board Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha, Hajia Lami Tumaka, Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere SAN, Hajia Bola Muse, Capt. Taiwo Akinpumi, Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa, Mrs Ify Akerele, Emeka Akabogu, Captain Sunday Umoren of Abuja MOU among prominent others.
