The Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Nigeria chapter has elected new executive members to pilot the affairs of the association.
The election which came up in Lagos on Tuesday 12th October 2021 brought in the emergence of a leading seafarer expert Mrs Rollens Macfoy as the new president of the association.
Mrs Macfoy defeated her oponent Mrs Obiageli Obi at the poll with 26 votes to 21, while one vote was record as void.
Other position emerged on opposed to serve in the executive arm of the association were Mrs Stella Falaye as the Vice President, Mrs Chinyere Azike, Secretary, Mrs Obiageli Benjamin as Assist. Secretary, Mrs Theodora Nwanze as the Treasurer, Mrs Oluwadamilola Adebamipe, National Coordinator and Hajia Aisha Cole of News Agency of Nigeria emerged the Public Relations Officer.
On the other hand, Lola Adesokan , the publisher of Searchlight News was elected as the Assist Public Relations Officer with 43 votes as against Jumoke Olowookere who scored two votes.
Addressing members after declaring the incoming executives, head of the electoral committee who is also the pioneer women leader in Maritime and former Director General of Chamber of Shipping Mrs Ify Akerele hinted that there is need for all women in the maritime industry to maintain level of integrity and professionalism.
She urged women to join the association and support the new executive to succeed.
She however commend the efforts of the past executive of WIMAfrica Nigeria, noting that they did a lot of corporate social responsibilities to the needy in the maritime in amist the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also speaking after the election, former Public Relations Officer and the Continental coordinator of WIMAfrica, Mrs Carol Ufere, urged the newly executive to ensure they bring other members onboard and collaborate with other sisters association.
Mrs Ufere disclosed that the continental body of the association nominated her and Mrs Gloria Kanabe, to ensured a peaceful, fair and smooth flow election.
She advised the executives not to loose vision and objectives of the association adding that their expectation was to make the association attain a higher standard and they should always speak with one voice.
Adding her voice, the Continental President of WIMAfrica who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs Jean Anishere, congratulated the new President, Mrs Rollens Macfoy and her executives on their success.
Appreciating Almighty God for the professional manners which the election was conducted, Mrs Anishere saids, “I am extremely exited that those who are qualified, well skilled and dedicated members are those who turn up to win at the pull today, I wished them the best and the Almighty God will take them to a greater height.
” My appreciation to God for the professional way in which the election was conducted by the Ambassadors of Nigeria who were appointed by General Assembly to be members of the officiating board that conducted the election.
” I congratulate Rollens Macfoy who served as Secretary during my tenure as president of WIMAfrica and during the tenure of the immediate past president, she served as the Vice president.
” Macfoy had been very dedicated to the idea of WIMAfrica Nigeria in general” . She quipped.
Giving her acceptance speech, the newly elected President, Mrs Rollens Macfoy who served in the Vice president capacity of the immediate past executive, appreciates the electoral committee and other continental bodies present at the election venue in ensuring a free and fair election.
Mrs Macfoy appreciated the support of WIMAfrica as a body for proper direction and also commended all the new members who are yet to be inducted before the election for their efforts in taking out time to witness the election despite not being constitutionally permitted to cast their votes.
“I appreciate the existing members present, whether you voted for me or not, the issue now is that WIMAfrica Nigeria most go forward.
“I pledge to take reasonable counsel from different authorities and I will deliver and will take the association to the next level.
“I thank all the contestant for having the courage to step out because of the prevalence issue,” she said.
Macfoy commended the effort of the continental president and the immediate pass President of the association for their laudable platform they had created.
Responding to questions from Searchlight Media as regards her agenda for the association if it will be in line with the last administration or if she is setting up a new agenda in taking the association to it’s desired heights, she saids, ” I wouldn’t work in the part of the past administration. Vision, desires and focus of each individual differs. Individual aspirations and modus operandi differ”
On her view about the immediate past executives she saids, “No comments. Only that not handing over properly speaks volumes of a person’s personality and integrity”
MEET THE NEWLY ELECTED WIMA NIGERIA PRESIDENT
Macfoy Rollens B.C (MRS.) is a seasoned Maritime Administrator, specialist in Cabotage and Maritime Labour Mediation.
She is a UK trained Professional in Crewing and Manning, an Expert in Maritime Security & Administration.
She is a hand tested on several multi – national Oil & Gas and shipping companies respectively as well as on government assignments and projects in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Macfoy has held management positions in several multinational maritime organization in the last 18 years.
Brief/Few Work History:
-ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY +SCOA Nigeria
-P. A TO RESIDENT DELEGATE -PHHILIPS EXPORT B.V. NETHERLANDS (NIGERIA OFFICE)
-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ADMIN – RIMACY FINESSE LTD (OIL & GAS COMPANY)
-CUSTOMER CARE MANAGER – KIA MOTORS NIGERIA LTD
-ADMIN MANAGER – M.R.S OIL & GAS LTD
-HEAD: HR & ADMIN -GRATAF GROUP OF COMPANIES (SHIPPING COMPANY)
-Crew/HR Manager -SAJE SHIPPING NIG LTD
-ASCA BITUMEN LTD -SENIOR MANAGER SHIPPING OPERATIONS
-REGARDAS NIG. LTD -SENIOR MANAGER SHIPPING OPERATIONS
-MARVEL MARITIME GREECE -NIGERIA’S MAJOR CONSULTANT FOR CABOTAGE & MARITIME LABOUR
-OCEAN GOLD GREECE -MAJOR CONSULTANT FOR CABOTAGE & MATITIME LABOUR
-CURRENTLY A MAJOR CONSULTANT TO MARLINS MARITIME ACADEMY SCOTLAND
UK TO NIGERIA
-CABOTAGE & MARITIME LABOUR CONSULTANT FOR DOVER TANKERS GREECE
-ONCE A RESOURCE PERSON FOR NIGERIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ABUJA
-ONCE A VESSEL REGISTRATION CONSULTANT FOR AGIP NIGERIA (NIGERIAN FLAG REGISTRATION FOR FPSO MYSTR’S)
CURRENT POSITION:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OCEAN DEEP SERVICES LTD
QUALIFICATION:
*B.SC PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY.
*MASTERS, INDUSTRIAL LABOUR RELATIONS, UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
*PGD, MARITIME LAW, LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY UNITED KINGDOM
*PGD MARITIME SAFETY, SECURITY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, WORLD MARITIME UNIVERSITY SWEDEN. (IN VIEW)
*CERTIFCATE IN VESSEL REGISTRATION & ADMIN, LLOYD’S MARITIME ACADEMY LONDON
*CERTIFIED SHIP SECURITY EXPERT. (CSO) DNV MARITIME ACADEMY LLOYDS DUBAI
*TRAIN THE TRAINER DNV MARITIME ACADEMY DUBAI
*FEDERAL COLLEGE OF DIPLOMA IN NAUTICAL FISHERIES AND MARINE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
AUTHUR:
*PATH WAY TO MARITIME STUDIES
FOUNDER: YOUTH AFLAME (A YOUTH MENTORING ORGNIZATION)
*RECTOR: OCEAN DEEP MARITIME ACADEMY
*VICE PRESIDENT, WOMEN IN MARITIME AFRICA (WIMA- NIGERIA) – Former
*CHAIRPERSON, MARITIME SAFETY, SECURITY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. (FOR WIMAFRICA)
MEMBER:
*MARITIME ARBITRATORS OF NIGERIAN *NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
*CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATORS
*WOMEN IN INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING & TRADING) (NIGERIAN CHAPTER)
FELLOW: NIGERIA INSTITUTE OF SHIPPING
NIGERIANS FIRST WOMAN TO OWN A CREWING & MANNING COMPANY AND A MARITIME INSTITUTION.
