The umbrella body of ship owners with a proven track record in the upstream and downstream of the Nigerian maritime industry, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) is set to host the 2016 All Ship owners End of Year Gala Dinner. The event which is scheduled to hold on November 30, 2016, at the Orchid and Lantana Hall of Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos by 5 pm.
The event is expected to attract the business community, top government functionaries and other stakeholders in the maritime industry and beyond.
A statement issued by the organisers stated that the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will be the special guest of honour and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State will be the chief host, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru will be the guest speaker. Baru is expected to speak on the topic ‘Benefits of Establishing a National Shipping Fleet for Crude Affrieghtment’.
The chief executive officer (CEO) of the Commonwealth Investment and Enterprise Council (CWIEC), Mr Oliver Everett is expected to give a goodwill message on behalf of the council.
Continuing, the organizers said the event is aimed at bringing together all ship owners in the country, notable business leaders and captains of the maritime industry in the private and public sectors in the economy.
President of SOAN, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun in his remarks said: “SOAN was conceived to promote the interest of members and to provide a forum for dialogue between all ship owners among themselves and with any other interests on topical issues, policies and practices pertaining to the business of ship ownership and management in the country.
The essence of this annual event is providing an avenue for key players, policy makers, regulators and other stakeholders in the industry to chat the way forward for the benefits of the industry and the nation at large”.
Ogbeifun who is also the Chairman and CEO of the Starzs Group disclosed that SOAN will the occasion to formally unveil and inaugurate its100 Cadet training berth scheme.
Amaechi is expected to perform the unveiling of the scheme which is aimed at addressing the challenge of Nigerian cadets not having the mandatory sea time experience for the issuance of their certificate of competency (CoC) over the years.
