The Chief Executive Officer of Employment Clinic, Princess Ronke Kosoko, has congratulated the
President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the re-elected Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, on their victory in the 2023 general election.
Princess Kosoko stated this on Wednesday during a media parley with maritime journalists at Morlap House in Apapa Lagos.
According to her, the President-elect and the re-elected governor of Lagos State have what it takes to address the issues affecting the maritime sector in Nigeria and pay attention to the maritime economy for its development for the overall benefit of Nigeria and her citizenry.
Kosoko posited that developing the maritime economy would instigate the economic development of the nation and that this can only be achieved by appointing experts into key agencies in the maritime sector.
She was optimistic that the Nigerian maritime economy will gain immensely from Tinubu administration even as she enjoined the President-elect to focus on the industry.
Kosoko noted that the newly built $1.5billion Lekki Deep Seaport has caused massive transfer of about 50 per cent skilled maritime personnel at terminals and shipping companies in Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports to migrate to Lekki seaport.
She added that this development has made some of the terminals in Apapa to record staff losses on account of better work environment in Lekki where there is less traffic challenge.
She hinted that this development has created urgent need for skilled manpower to replace those exiting Apapa environment for Lekki axis.
She said that this is where the president-elect and the governor of Lagos State should understand that there is the need to pay attention to the maritime economy in order open employment opportunities for the teeming youths.
Princess Kosoko revealed that she has created a Maritime Conversion Programme (MCP), which is designed to introduce Nigerian graduates to the maritime sector and improving career prospects.
She explained that under the MCP, they have about 5000 graduates with approval from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, and will also interface with agencies which would give support to Nigerian graduates to get the right employers in the industry who can engage them in non-technical aspects of the shipping.
She noted that women will be given adequate percentage under MCP, stating that the MCP is not creating jobs but providing a fertile ground for transfer of knowledge from old Nigerians in the industry to young ones.
