In December 2010 when the duo of Engr Omar Suleiman and Mr Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi were appointed as chief executives of NPA and NIMASA respectively, many weren’t happy that the headships of the two prime federal government agencies were changed.
Malam Abdusalam Mohammed from whom Engr Suleiman took over had proven to understand his mandate and he was seen to be doing well in its fulfillment, but a change must come.
In December 2010 when the duo of Engr Omar Suleiman and Mr Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi were appointed as chief executives of NPA and NIMASA respectively, many weren’t happy that the headships of the two prime federal government agencies were changed.
Malam Abdusalam Mohammed from whom Engr Suleiman took over had proven to understand his mandate and he was seen to be doing well in its fulfillment, but a change must come.
So the lot fell on Suleiman, and from what majority have said, his was a good choice for NPA at a time when the agency was believed to be ripe for a redirection. He immediately upon his appointment declared his intention to focus on deep sea ports and Greenfield ports development. Omar Suleiman did not disappoint.
But at NIMASA, the industry was left with no choice than to accept the right of Mr President to have his way. Mr Akpobolokemi’s appointment created an unprecedented furry within the industry on many grounds. One, his predecessor, Barrister Temisan Omtaseye, apart from being eminently qualified for the job (going by the NIMASA Act), had also it the ground running. He was already getting things done and creating new frontiers for NIMASA’s immediate constituents.
Most importantly, Mr Akpobolokemi is known to be unqualified for the job of DG of NIMASA; based on the Act 2007 that created the agency. Yet, we were forced with the power of the prerogative of the President.
In all sincerity, the last 18 months have been a learning curve for Akpobolokemi. It becoming more obvious by the day that the DG’s only qualification for the job is his Ijaw blood, not about his going to school and having a Masters in Business Administration from University of Port Harcourt. It remains incontrovertible that one of the best DGs that the agency has ever been blessed with is Architect Ferdinand Agu.
And back to the issue of the new appointments at the two agencies. The truth is that majority (almost 99.9 %) of maritime industry stakeholders would have wanted the MD of NPA to stay on in his office instead of the DG of NIMASA.
From the list of the new executive directors, it is also obvious that it is simply another era of giving jobs to the boys.
The ‘boys’ are matching-in again! Certainly, the new MD of NPA; Habib Abdulahi will need a lot of prayers, diligence and wisdom for him to have an untainted reputation. One of his predecessors; Aminu Dabo came on board under an almost similar circumstances. He should pray against having a board, such as Dabo had.
All that NPA went through under Dabo happened because NPA at that time was ‘unlucky’ to have a board and executive management comprising of politicians and children of political godfathers, all of whom came to plunder the organisation. Even though NPA did not die, it bled and almost bled to death, until salvagers came on board.
Certainly the names of Mr David Omonibeke, Marine & Operations; Mr Mohammmed Saleh, Engineering & Technical Services and Mr Olumide Oduntan, Finance & Administration do not ring any bell, at least in the maritime industry.
NPA deserves more than the executive team that has been forced on it and the danger in this is that the same method of appointment that has almost crippled NIMASA has found its ways into NPA.
As for NIMASA, the fact that the three executive directors who were booted out last week had no respect or courtesy for the DG was enough reason to push them out. Their lack of respect for Akpobolokemi stemmed from the fact that the DG was perceived by them as knowing nothing and not learning fast about the duties of NIMASA and the responsibilities of its chief executive.
If the newly- appointed executive directors in NPA are outsiders who are unfamiliar, thosethat were given to NIMASA are also guilty of the same offence. These names; Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, ED,Maritime Safety & Shipping Development, Mr Obi Nwabueze, ED, Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services and Mr Baba Jauro, ED, Finance & Administration don’t strike any chord either.
As much as one does not being pessimistic about the likelihood of friction within these management, it won’t be long be long before in-fighting will start among these strange bedfellows. And when this happens, the game of musical chair will start again, sooner than they prayed for.
Discussion about this post