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 defunct national carrier; the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) who first mad 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 in 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 current minister of interior), among others. Captain Ihenacho had contested for the Owerri Senatorial Zone in 2003 in Imo State and he 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.
Following from the successful in-roads of these personalities, many operators are currently on the political turf at different levels and from what we are seeing, they are recording impressive showing.
In the just-concluded party primary elections that took place across the
nation, two prominent 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.
Similarly, Tony Iju Nwabunike, foremost freight forwarder and immediate past chairman of
the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN),
contesting 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 is still battling to retrieve his mandate that was snatched at the just-concluded primaries in Edo state.
We also know that retired assistant comptroller general, 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.
The action of these men who cut their political teeth in the maritime industry
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).
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, the trio of Dosunmu, Nwabunike and Irabor have proved that those who have been there are not better than maritime practitioners neither do they have a better grasp of national issues.
Their informed contributions to national discourse, law- making process and policy formulation will no doubt influence things positively for the sector.
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 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 becoming celebrated sector lords.
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