UI Student Wins NIMASA Annual Essay Competition

A student of the University of Ibadan, Mr. Toluwalope Ojewola, has emerged overall winner of the essay competition organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA to mark the World Maritime Day.

Ojewola was tops in a group of 10 students whose entries were selected by an independent panel of judges for the final contest. But all 10 nominees were awarded the Agency’s educational grants.

The essay competition, which had over 100 entries, was on, “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community,” in line with the IMO campaign focus, “Supporting Gender Equality, Empowering Women” in maritime.

Ojewola was presented with a N500, 000 Education Grant, a laptop and a plaque by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi at the occasion. 

Miss Blessing Omataye of the University of Benin came second, while Alexander Chikudinaka Nwaegede from the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, came third. Both won educational grants and lap tops. They were part of the 10 students awarded educational grants by the Agency.

The annual essay competition, which commenced in 2017 is open to only first and second year students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and is part of NIMASA’s commitment to getting youths, particularly girls, involved in the intellectual discourse on harnessing the potentials of the blue economy in Nigeria.

The event also witnessed the recognition of some women considered as pioneers in the Nigerian maritime sector.  The first female Admiral in the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Itunu Hotonu, First female to Chair the Senate Committee on Maritime and now Minister of State Federal Ministry of Transportation, Senator Gbemi Saraki, Chairman House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administrtion, Hon. Linda Chuba Ikpeazu, Nigeria’s first most senior female Director at the IMO, Mrs Monica Mbanefo, the First Female Managing Director of the NPA Hadiza Bala Usman as well as the first female Director General of NIMASA Mrs Mfon Usoro.

Others were Hajia Lami Tumaka Director special duties in NIMASA, Mrs Magaret Orakwusi, Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, Ms Funmi Folorunso, Dr Vicky Haastrup, Mrs Juliana Gunwa and Mrs Ify Akerele.

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG