Marine Ministry’s PS Urges WISTA to Drive Innovation in Maritime Sector
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood, has urged the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria to take ownership of its growth by driving strategic capacity building and innovation in the maritime industry.
Speaking during a recent engagement with WISTA members in Abuja, Mrs. Mahmood stated that while the Ministry will provide institutional support within available resources, true progress depends on the association’s proactive agenda.
“Women shouldn’t be asking for space based on sentiment, but should prove their worth through excellence and expertise,” she stated, urging members to leverage global platforms like the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to amplify their impact.
To stay competitive in the blue economy, the Permanent Secretary charged WISTA Nigeria to:
– Prioritize webinars and online initiatives for continuous professional development.
– Shift from small gatherings to large-scale, investment-driven projects.
– Develop robust data to identify gaps and boost women’s participation across maritime value chains.
– Use media platforms more effectively to showcase achievements and capacity-building efforts.
In a statement, Anastasia Ogbonna, the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, disclosed that Mrs.Mahmood noted that forming specialized sub-committees and leveraging professional networks would position WISTA as a key player in Nigeria’s maritime revitalization.
Earlier, WISTA Abuja Branch Coordinator, Edith Osuji Obi, said the visit was to welcome the Permanent Secretary and brief her on WISTA’s role in advancing the Marine and Blue Economy. She also invited Mrs. Mahmood to the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference scheduled for Lagos.
