The newly elected executives of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, led by Odunayo Ani as president, have been officially inaugurated to take the association to a new height.
Presiding over the swearing-in Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN), former president; Funmi Folorunso, pioneer president, and Ify Akerele, another former president, shared strategies to make the association formidable regionally and internationally.
Other executives include Edidiong Akpanebe Sola-Abalo, vice president; Lilian Mac-Jaja Nneji, general secretary; Hanna Adaba, treasurer; Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, public relations officer; Oluwatoyin Oyeleke, assistant secretary; Nneoma Obi-Asualo, assistant PRO, and Aisha Cole, assistant treasurer.
Ani, who doubles as deputy director/head of Revenue at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), promised an all-inclusive leadership.
In her acceptance speech, Ani pledged to advance the mission and vision of the association in an environment where every member feels valued and empowered to contribute, even as she beckoned on the WISTA Nigeria Diamonds to continuously support the current leadership.
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Ani said the executives plan to meet with WISTA Diamonds to present the major goals of the association for refinement and counsel, as she targets the robust contribution of WISTA Nigeria to national, continental, and global issues.
“We must navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving landscape, championing inclusivity, diversity, and excellence. Our strength lies in our collective wisdom, and we will ensure that every voice is not only heard but also respected. Together, we will harness the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change and propel our association to new heights,” she said.
Earlier, Funmi Folorunso, pioneer president, encouraged the new executives to gainfully exploit the strength of WISTA members.
She charged the new leadership to lead WISTA towards the attainment of major structural adjustments in the nation’s shipping industry.
Ify Akerele, a former president, charged the new leadership to broaden the visibility and impact of the association.
“WISTA Nigeria used to be a very formidable group and it is very important that you work towards taking WISTA back to that level with witty ideas and topnotch visibility in the maritime industry. I believe this leadership can do exploits and excel, but you must work together,” she said.
Also, Jean-Chiazor Anishere, a former president, encouraged the group to intentionally prepare for regional and global conferences in a bid to improve the association’s reputation globally.
Anishere said that networking is a big asset for the association, and if well harnessed it could improve the capabilities of members and also lead to financial gains.
The immediate past Vice-President, Anna Akpan decorated the new president and extended the goodwill and support of Eunice Ezeoke, the former president.
