Calistus Obi Takes Over As Acting DG Of NIMASA

Even though there was no formal handing over, the Nigerian Maritime Admin istration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) announced yesterday that its Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services; Barrister Calistus Nwabueze Obi has taken over as the acting Director General.
Yesterday’s announcement put paid to days of speculation over the successor to Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi who was removed from office last Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Even though there was no formal handing over, the Nigerian Maritime Admin istration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) announced yesterday that its Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services; Barrister Calistus Nwabueze Obi has taken over as the acting Director General.
Yesterday’s announcement put paid to days of speculation over the successor to Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi who was removed from office last Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A terse statement issued by NIMASA yesterday indicated that the change of guard has already taken place “as directed by the Federal Government”.
Prior to yesterday’s statement, there had been speculations that the ‘battle’ for the top position was between Obi, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, Executive Director, Finance and Administrationand the director in charge of Maritime Labour; Mrs Juliana Gunwa, who is the most senior director in the agency.
Those speculating Mrs Gunwa had argued that the duo of Obi and Jauro are political appointees, who ordinarily may soon be removed. They were both appointed executive directors on the same day.
But, according to the statement by NIMASA’s head of public relations; Mr Isichei Osamgbi, the acting director general “brings over two decades experience in the public sector, law practice and the maritime industry to this new responsibility.”
Barrister Obi who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State studied Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991, after duly completing the mandatory studies at the Law School. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.
The Acting DG is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), member of the International Bar Association (IBA), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators amongst membership of several other professional associations.