From Uche Usim, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other African leaders to congratulate the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside over his election as the Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA).
The President’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Mr Femi Adesina on Saturday in Abuja.
President Buhari described the election of the DG NIMASA as the chairman of the continental body for the next one year as a confirmation that the country has the human capital required to make Nigeria a leading maritime nation.
He said “ Peterside unanimous election is not only a personal honour and an affirmation of confidence in his ability to lead AAMA but also places Nigeria in a pivotal position to rally other maritime administrations in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) towards safer global maritime activities.
According to the President, Dr Peterside’s new position provides him with an even bigger platform to forge ahead in doing the nation proud by meeting objectives of AAMA
President Buhari acknowledged NIMASA’s encouraging performance under Dr Peterside especially in the fight against Sea Piracy through inter agency cooperation.
The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside was elected as the new Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA) at the just concluded third conference of the association with the theme ‘Sustainable Use of Africa’s Oceans and Seas attended by 34 African countries held from April 19 to 21, 2017 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mr. Bashir Jamoh, who addressed a media conference shortly after the event, said that the NIMASA – DG would pilot affairs of AAMA for a period of one year tenure, as Egypt would host the next conference while South Africa retains the secretariat.
Meanwhile Namibia and Seychelles are jostling for the 2019 hosting right, as the chosen host could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report.