Even as last weekend’s elections of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) which saw the emergence of Capt Niyi Labinjo as the new chairman continues to reverberate, out-going chairman of the association; Chief Isaac Jolapamo has said he had no hand in the outcome of the elections.
In a statement sent to Shipping Position Daily yesterday, chief Jolapamo stated unequivocally that he neither endorsed nor supported any of the candidates who contested.
Even as last weekend’s elections of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA) which saw the emergence of Capt Niyi Labinjo as the new chairman continues to reverberate, out-going chairman of the association; Chief Isaac Jolapamo has said he had no hand in the outcome of the elections.
In a statement sent to Shipping Position Daily yesterday, chief Jolapamo stated unequivocally that he neither endorsed nor supported any of the candidates who contested.
The NISA chairmanship position was won by Capt Labinjo who polled 31votes out of 71 votes, as against the six votes that were garnered by Barrister Temisan Omatseye and the 23 votes polled by Greg Ogbeifun.
In a direct response to insinuations making the rounds, Chief Jolapamo stated that: "I have heard all sorts of speculations and unfounded rumours making the rounds. As a statesman and founding leader of the association, I decided to create a level playing field for all the contestants. I did not support or endorse any of them. And that is why we invited a neutral body to conduct the election.
"I never at any time discussed any candidate with anybody either within or outside NISA. We had an electoral committee made up of respected persons and we gave them free hands to conduct the election. We didn't tell them how to do their jobs. They designed their own guidelines and executed the brief handed to them by the association."
Preaching harmony in the association, Jolapamo pleaded that, "what should be paramount to all of us at this stage is how to take indigenous ship owners out of the woods so that they can assume their rightful place in the maritime industry.
"There is so much work to do. We must put the election behind us and not allow it polarise our association. The NISA of our dream is an all-inclusive body of Nigerian shipowners and all hands must be on deck from now," he said and harped on the need to "support the elected officials so that we can all join hands to take our association to the next level’.
In a telephone conversation with one of our correspondents yesterday, the NISA chieftain expressed shock at the speculation, which according to him, was reported by a maritime industry newspaper (not Shipping Position Daily). He expressed disappointment at the publication.
According to him, haven sacrificed many years to put NISA on a strong footing and haven brought the association into national and global consciousness, he couldn’t have been partisan in the build up to last Friday’s elections.
He said attributing the success of any of the candidates in the election to him or the leadership of NISA is mischievous.
Shipping Position Daily however recalls that, after the election, one of the aspirants; Barr. Temi Omatseye had promised that he would stand firm behind Capt Labinjo and support him as the new head.
"We have to stay behind him or the association is going to die, we have come out, issues have been brought out, but let's watch how the issues will be dealt with, it is our businesses we came to look out for and now that Labinjo has emerged, our job is to stand behind him" he said.
On his part, another contestant; Engr Greg Ogbeifun also congratulated Capt. Labinjo, describing him as a man who has fought a good fight. "We all gave it a very good try and we keyed into the spirit of brotherhood and comradeship of NISA, he should rely on my hundred percent support in his administration", he said.
Ogbeifun described the election as free and fair, even as he promised to oblige and contribute his quota if he is called upon by the new executives. He also asked the new executives to feel free to implement any part of his manifesto that they think they can work with.
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