The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency [NIMASA] has called on women in the maritime industry to fully participate in the affairs of unionism and politics in the country.
The call was made last week in Lagos at the celebration of the 2012 international women’s day which was held by the International Transport Workers Federation [ITF] women Nigeria committee with the theme ‘’Strong Union Needs Women.”
The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency [NIMASA] has called on women in the maritime industry to fully participate in the affairs of unionism and politics in the country.
The call was made last week in Lagos at the celebration of the 2012 international women’s day which was held by the International Transport Workers Federation [ITF] women Nigeria committee with the theme ‘’Strong Union Needs Women.”
Speaking at the occasion, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Barrister Ibrahim Zailani who was represented by Barrister Victor Egeguru, said that the involvement of women in the sector has made the apex maritime agency experience peace and stability, thus improving welfare of Nigeria seafarers and dockworkers.
‘’I have dealings with various unions in the maritime sector and some of the break through the agency has recorded in industrial relations in the maritime sector which include industrial peace and stability in the sector and improvement of the welfare of Nigeria seafarers and dockworkers were actually achieved with the help of women in the maritime sector. The role women have played in the success of the international Transport Workers’ Federation can also not be over emphasized’’.
He described women as the salt of the earth; stressing that without them many human activities cannot hold sway as the theme of the occasion tagged ‘’strong unions need women ‘’ is correct.
‘’When it therefore comes to trade unions, the claim that “strong union need women” is correct. I normally see women as the salt of the earth because without them, many human activities will not stand the test of time ‘’, he added.
He however urged International Transport Workers Federation [ITF] women Nigeria committee and other female unions to be a voice in addressing issues that kick against women from full participation in the affairs of unions and politics.
“It is hoped that ITF women, Nigeria committee and their counterparts in other unions while celebrating this year’s event will fashion out ways of being more vocal on societal issues and to address all issues militating against women from fully participating in the affairs of their various unions and politics in Nigeria and also play active roles in the international arenas on issues concerning women’’.
On her part, the chairperson of ITF women Nigeria, Mrs Sadiq Adebola said that Nigeria women have been in the struggle even before the pre colonial era, stressing that the women’s day started as a socialist political event.
Sadiq noted that the focus of celebration ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women, to a celebration for women economic, political and social achievement.
‘’The coming together of women worldwide with one voice has really eroded the belief that the traditional home of a woman is the kitchen. History has proved us right that women are known for cross fertilization of valuable ideas among nation state’’, she added.
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