2-Months After: Transport Ministry Yet to Inaugurate Shippers Council Governing Board

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Two months after President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Boards of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Transportation, fresh indications have emerged that the governing board of the Nigerian Shippers Council is yet to be inaugurated.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi had in May 2022 inaugurated the boards of some agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT, , Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. (MAN Oron), Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, and National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA.

The minister however did not inaugurate the Shippers Council Board.

A member of the newly constituted Shippers Council Board who spoke with DAILY TREND under anonymity alleged that Amaechi hurriedly inaugurated the boards of the NPA and the CRFFN because of fear that his friends could be removed.

Recall that an ally of the transport minister, Akin Ricketts was reappointed as NPA board Chairman after serving briefly as Board Chairman of the agency in 2020. He replaced Engr. Olajide Adesoye.

In the seme manner, another ally of the Minister who later became campaign coordinator for Amaechi’s All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential campaign, Alhaji Tsanni Abubakar was returned as the Chairman of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) after serving a first term.

The Shippers Council board member who craved anonymity in the chat with our correspondent, called on the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki to do the needful by inaugurating the board of Nigerian Shippers Council.

The Board members reconstituted by President Muhammadu Buhari two months ago are as follows:

Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC)

Lawal Sama’ila Abdullahi – Chairman
Rufai Ahmed Akambi – Member
Usen Ekong Udoh – Member
Otunba Oluseyi Oduntan – Member
Violet Oliatan Williams – Member
Mohammed Allamin Kam-Salem – Member
Emmanuel Lyambee Jime – Executive Secretary/CEO
Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT)

Ejike Njeze – Chairman
Amuda Seriki – Member
Muhiydeen Sani Awwal – Member
Paul Eluhaiwe – Member
Gbenga Elegbele – Member
Tutare Abubakar – Member
Bayaro S. Farah – Director-General/CEO
Maritime Academy of Nigeria, (MAN, Oron)

Rear Adm. Jacob Adekunle Ajani – Chairman
Abdullah Nurudeen – Member
Larry Odeh – Member
Commodore D. E. Effedua – Rector/CEO
National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)

Binta Masi Garba – Chairman
Chibuike Ikenga – Member
George N. Moghalu – Managing Director/CEO
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

Akinwunmi Ricketts – Chairman
Ayogu Eze – Member
Ghazali Moh’d – Member
Abdullazeez Nyako – Member
Abdulwahab Adeshina – Member
Mustapha Aminu Dutse – Member
Adenrele Susana Adeshina – Executive Director, Finance
Mohammed Bello Koko – Managing Director