The Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki has advocated females participation in shipping operations in furtherance to boost capacity and manpower development for the industry growth.
The minister disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos , during the World Maritime Day Celebration held in Lagos.
While addressing participants at the event ,Saraki added that women can excel and do as good as their male counterparts in a technology driven shipping industry.
Highlighting key areas on the sector, She said focus should address key areas like education, employment and businesses owned by women.
The Minister called for increased funding by government and mentoring by successful females in the industry for younger ladies
Hinging her presentation on the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” Saraki said brave women with competence can do as good as men are doing in the shipping industry.
While citing examples of where women participation in shipping has increased, she urged Nigeria to learn from China. According to her,before its advancement in technology, China had only one percent of female of female participation in shipping which has increased to 28% with increase in technology.
She added, women can still embrace their feminine nature and excel as professionals and inventors.
She said 26 cadets which represents 10.2% of the total number of cadets in Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron are not enough.
Saraki affirmed that some aspects of shipping and allied operations are very physically demanding and challenging but with persistence, they can achieve increased participation.
