It was the duo of Alhaji Sanni Kamba; erstwhile national president of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and Capt Cosmos Niagwan; who holds the unenviable credit of being the liquidator of the defunct national carrier; the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) who first made a foray into the murky waters of Nigerian politics from the nation’s maritime sector.
It was the duo of Alhaji Sanni Kamba; erstwhile national president of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and Capt Cosmos Niagwan; who holds the unenviable credit of being the liquidator of the defunct national carrier; the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) who first made a foray into the murky waters of Nigerian politics from the nation’s maritime sector.
The two maritime industry stakeholders (one; a master mariner and the other; a license customs agents) were distinguished Senators of the Federal republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003.
After, the duo, there has been a gradual awakening of the consciousness of maritime industry stakeholders into the murky waters of politics. The industry is witnessing the emergence of legislators and ministers from among its own. The list is getting longer by the day.
Among the crop of those whose names have also already made the list of politicians of maritime industry extraction are: Senator Munir Muse (former port manager, NPA), Senator Argungu (former manager, NPA), Senator Musa Adede(shipping operator) , Honourable Emma Bello (stevedoring contractor) Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho (master mariner and former minister of interior), among others.
Prior to becoming a minister; Captain Ihenacho had contested for the Owerri Senatorial Zone in Imo State in 2003 and he has continued to be active in both his state and national politics until he achieved his ambition of becoming one of the nation’s policy makers. He is rumoured to be eyeing the Government House in Imo State.
Another notable politicians of the maritime sector extraction is the one time national president of ANLCA; Chief Peter Eloka Okocha who ran for the governorship slot in Delta state.
Unknown to many, the immediate past governor of Abia state; Dr Orji Uzor Kalu is an active player in the nation’s maritime, oil and gas sectors; working through his company; Slok.
In the 2011 party primary elections that took place across the nation, some maritime operators emerged victorious beating other politicians who have been in the game for long.
Top on the list is a former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Ade Dosunmu who proved bookmakers wrong by defeating seeming heavyweight to clinch the gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Lagos state. There was also the Assitant National Secretary of the ASssociation of Nigerian Liacensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Mr Oladipo Bolade who was the flag bearer of Labour Party in Ekiti state. His national president; Prince Olayiwola Shittu was also the flag bearer of Liberation Party for the House of Representatives seat for Amuwo Odofin in Lagos.
Similarly, foremost freight forwarder and former chairman of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Tony Iju Nwabunike, contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), beat other five contestants for the ticket of Nnewi North and South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Federal House of Representatives of Anambra State.
Yet another maritime icon, Comrade Onikolease Irabor, of the Action Congress of Nigeria was actively involved in Edo state, he is currently a special adviser to the governor.
We also know that retired assistant comptroller general of Customs, Mr Adenigba Fadahunsi gave a push for the Ife/Ijesha Senatorial slot under the platform of the PDP. So also is the registrar of the Certified Institute of Shipping, Dr Alex Okwuashi in Delta. Also prominent in the 2011 primaries and subsequent elections was the former director general of the then- National Maritime Authourity (NMA); Mr Patrick Egesi.
Arguably, the dogged and towering position of the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Dr Boniface Aniebonam remains a clarion call to others.
As the founder and incumbent chairman of one of the registered political parties; the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), he has remained the most outspoken and one who has consistently preached the gospel of the need for maritime sector players to come out of their cocoon and put throw their hat in the ring.
The action of these men who cut their teeth in the maritime industry and who are actively involved in politics is a lesson to other burgeoning political activists in the industry. These personalities were all active players in the industry and in their professional associations
For instance, Comrade Irabor was the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and Deputy – President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
Similarly, Tony Iju Nwabunike was the Secretary General of ANLCA and the pioneer
Chairman of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN); the same goes for both Prince Shittu and Mr Bolade; both of ANLCA.
Other ‘politicians’ and leaders in the industry should follow their example and enter the mainstream of national politics. They should not be satisfied with being local champions in the industry but should move out to make things happen.
By throwing their hats into the rings, those who are there already have proven that those who have been there are not better than maritime practitioners neither do they have a better grasp of national issues.
The maritime industry has been where it is today, largely because of the ignorance on the part of the policy makers about what the maritime sector means for a nation. It is this ignorance and ineptitude that drive the actions and utterances of those in government, making the industry an all- comer’s affair.
We believe that the more maritime industry operators and experts there are in
the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council, the better for the industry.
The maritime industry parades an array of well-informed and highly cerebral professionals who
can make the difference for the industry.
There are also some key stakeholders with known political qualities including the penchant for intrigues for which politicians are known. We urge them to enter the larger political arena and influence things for the growth and advancement of the maritime industry, rather than staying in-doors and savour being celebrated sector lords.
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