BY EDIRI EJOH

DETERMINED to improve the living standard of women through economic empowerment, Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has pledged his continued support for women in shipping business through meaningful collaboration that can promote gender equality in the maritime industry.

Fashola who made this pledge in Lagos at the Award/investiture of the new executives of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA-Nigeria), identified Lagos as a home for the busiest ports in Africa, which provides huge opportunities for both local and foreign investors, thus the need to encourage more women to key into these opportunities the state offers.

According to him, the emergence of WISTA-Nigeria has brought succor to female gender in riverine areas, who are empowered through purchase of speed boats by WISTA for those in fishing business.

He applauded the initiative of WISTA, noting that it is in line with the objectives of Millennium Development Goal (MDG’s) and Lagos state’s 10-point agenda. Therefore, he urged the association to do more to encourage women to be actively involved in national issues.

WISTA Nigeria is a non-profit association and an umbrella organization of women engaged in shipping and trade-related businesses throughout the world including women who are top and middle-level administrators, service providers, maritime industry, shipbrokers, freight forwarders, chandlers, charterers, and port operators among others.

Grace Obiozor, founder of WISTA Nigeria in her keynote address revealed that the association create business contacts, organise programmes aimed at protecting women in maritime industry to become economically empowered and self-reliance.

Citing the association’s fishing boats project for women in the community, she noted that WISTA is determined to contribute to the total growth of maritime industry so that there will be higher participation of women in shipping sector.