By Ignatius Ushie
The new Secretary-General, Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) Dr. Paul Adalikwu has lauded the doggedness and resilient of the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibike Ameachi in seeing to his emerging as the Secretary General of the regional Organisation that controls maritime activities in 25 countries of the west and Central Africa sub region. Adalikwu stated this yesterday during a Thanks giving event organised in his honour in Abuja.
According to him, “it is on record that this is the first time in the life of the organisation that Nigeria indicated interest to contest for the exalted position of Secretary General of the organisation.
“I wish to thank the Honorable Minister for presenting and seeking the approval of the President, HE, Mohamadu Buhari, that I be presented as Nigerian candidate for the Secretary General position”. Adalikwu noted that even when the process seems to be nose-diving, Ameachi remained resolute.
The new Secretary General said as head of MOWCA, the burden and challenges of properly placing the regional body on the right pedestal of executing the Mandate of its founding fathers, which is anchored on effective maritime trade and marine environmental protection among member nations and the world in general is paramount.
He said “I do acknowledge the role of maritime trade to the global economy”, adding that during his tenure, “the region will experience effective maritime trade highway and witness a revolutionary turn around in trading activities, marine health and security in the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) among members. I will leverage on the Deep Blue Maritime security infrastructure project championed by Nigeria. Africa is highly endowed and I will work assiduously to see that we take our proper place in the global maritime space”.
High point of the event was presentation of good will messages by industry players, family members and stakeholders in the maritime sector. Among those that gave good will messages were Transport Day, Association of Nigerian/ American professionals in Nigerian. Led by it’s Chairman, Mazi Emmanuel Okoro, Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi, Utsu Linus Adie among others.
