The newly- appointed Managing Director for the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Habib Abdullahi has officially taken over the reins of the organization’s affairs yesterday at the Marina headquarters in Lagos even as he has expressed his fears over the enormity of the task ahead.
Abdullahi who until last week, was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration has however assured that the challenges are not insurmountable and that he is going to improve on the legacies that have so far been laid by his former boss, Engr Omar Suleiman.
The newly- appointed Managing Director for the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Habib Abdullahi has officially taken over the reins of the organization’s affairs yesterday at the Marina headquarters in Lagos even as he has expressed his fears over the enormity of the task ahead.
Abdullahi who until last week, was the Executive Director, Finance and Administration has however assured that the challenges are not insurmountable and that he is going to improve on the legacies that have so far been laid by his former boss, Engr Omar Suleiman.
Speaking at a brief handover ceremony to officially usher him in as the new helmsman, Habib said that this is not the first time he will be taking over duties directly from Engr Suleiman, he explained that he had taken over from the out-going MD in London and that it was pretty difficult to fit in his shoes then.
“Not all of you may understand the feeling that I have, a feeling of gratitude to God and a feeling of fear because of the responsibility that God has bestowed on me, I have worked closely with Engr Omar Suleiman, he has been a friend, a brother and a boss, this is not the first time I am taking over from him, I did so in London and I know what he left there and I know how difficult it was for me to fit into what he left” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi commended Engr Suleiman for how he was able to pilot the affairs of the organization saying that he has been the most humble, easy going and most friendly managing director that the NPA has ever had.
He appealed for the cooperation and support of the management and staff of NPA as they have extended to Engr Suleiman in the past.
Speaking earlier in his hand-over speech, the former Managing Director charged his successor to be conscious of the enormity of the responsibility that has been handed over to him and that he must ensure that he remains alive to these duties.
Suleiman said that NPA, being a complex and unique organization requires tact, wisdom and the cooperation of the entire management team in order be able to successfully fulfill its responsibilities.
He counseled the new helmsman that: "In all issues that require taking decisions, I urge you to be steadfast, united and be guided by the highest consideration for the nation, the industry, the organization and its staff".
While appreciation the contributions of maritime industry stakeholders throughout his stay at the NPA, Engr Suleiman acknowledged that "there will definitely be situations where I offended others and some have offended me, I have forgiven all and seek the forgiveness of everybody, I have come across in my career in NPA" he said.
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