Vicky Haastrup, chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), was conferred with the Leadership Award of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
The recognition was presented to Haastrup at the 2024 ICAN Annual Dinner and Awards, which took place in Lekki in acknowledgement of her outstanding contributions to the Nigerian maritime sector.
Innocent Okwuosa, the 49th president of ICAN, said the award ceremony with the theme ‘An Evening of Excellence,’ was organised to recognise and celebrate members, non-members and cooperate organisations that have made contributions that resonate with the values of the institute to the economy of Nigeria.
He said Haastrup won the award as a result of her achievements and for her significant contributions to the development of the maritime sector.
He advised other members of the society to embrace the values of accountability, integrity, honesty, and transparency to make the country a better place.
Speaking on the award, Haastrup expressed her delight at being recognised for her contributions to the maritime sector, especially being a woman in a male-dominated sector.
She advised other women to be resilient, hardworking, resolute, and determined in their professional pursuits.
“If Haastrup could be what she is today, contributing her quota to the economy of Nigeria, any girl-child can become anything. For every girl-child who does not have hope, there is hope for women in Nigeria; you can be anything you want to be. Don’t devalue yourself, don’t allow anyone to put you down. There is no limitation to which a woman can grow in Nigeria, just spread your wings and fly,” said.
In February, Haastrup was appointed as the Patroness of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) after winning many other laurels both within and outside the maritime sector.
