CANUS EBINIPRE OF NIGERIA BECOMES FIRST FEMALE ASD TUG CAPTAIN IN WEST AFRICA
Oru Leonard
Nigeria once again made history when she produced the first female ASD Tug boat captain, Miss Canus Ebinipre Robinson in West Africa,
Canus is a product of the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Programme NSDP, a brainchild of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, through which it contributes to the global seafarers need.
She was however trained by LTT Coastal & Marine Services Limited, a subsidiary firm of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA.
Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, who spoke at the official presentation of the first female tug boat Captain, noted that the authority is always excited to associate with such great feats, especially when they are accomplished by women professionals
He noted that in line with its commitment towards enhancing operational efficiency of the ports, the NPA has been acquiring state-of-the art propulsion estimation technology as evidenced in the procurement of tug boats to boost its fleet for prompt service delivery.
“The news of increasing availability of local talents and expertise to seamlessly manoeuvre sophisticated high performing vessels such as the ASD is heart gladdening for us. This feat is more heart -warming for us at the NPA because it shows that stakeholders are keying into our efforts at promoting the participation of women in the maritime ecosystem”, he said.
While commending management of LTT Coastal & Marine Services Limited for the foresight that gave birth to this unprecedented achievement, he noted that if Nigeria must optimise the ever growing potential and dynamism of the global port system, she must create a conducive environment for increased participation of women in port operations.
He said: “Ensuring the growth, competitiveness and future readiness of Nigeria’s maritime ecosystem will require a robust talent pool, which is why the NPA has placed a high premium on gender in our overall talent development agenda.
“For instance, out of the 23 General Managers at the NPA, six are female. The six General Managers are in charge of strategic divisions such as Medical, Human Resources, ICT, Monitoring and Regulatory Services, Public-Private Partnerships and SERVICOMM.
“There are also six Port Managers in charge of port locations across the country and two of them are female. A number of our strategic departments such as Legal, Training Superannuation, Administration and Environment among others are led by women.
“I have said all these to draw our attention to the fact that the very much uncommon feat we are gathered here celebrating is in line with Federal Government’s resolve to encourage women to participate in all spheres of the economy and the authority’s willingness to lead by example in mobilising all stakeholders to deepen the participation of and promote women excellence across the entire maritime value chain”
He therefore congratulated the female tug captain and also challenged all other women to aspire to achieve greater heights not because of their gender, but because of their capacity.
He assured that the NPA would leave no stone unturned in promoting welfare, particularly those concerning women.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Manager of the company, Theodora Nwaeze, while speaking earlier in a welcome address, thanked the company, especially the General Manager, Kalusky Yechiel Hilik without whose determination the vision would have remained a mirage. She also thanked the NPA, and NIMASA, whose inter-agency collaborations made the feat possible.
She said: “History is made today- Thursday 17th June 2021 as LTT Coastal & Marine Services Ltd officially celebrates the first female ASD Tugboat Captain, Miss Canus Ebinipre Robinson, which mission began in 2013.
“The Journey began 4th September 2013 as Miss Canus was among the cadets sponsored by NIMASA under the NSDP.
Available records show that the 28-year old Captain Canus arrived at the Philippines University of Cebu to study Nautical Science from 4th September 2013 – 21st September, 2016. She obtained a Bachelors Degree in Nautical Science.
She however joined the LTT as a Deck cadet for her seamanship practical training experience from 8th August 2017 to 27th December 2019.
In 2020, precisely on March 2, she went to the Philippines for her Certificate of Competency examination and came back after successfully passing her COC examination on 27th December 2020.
LTT absorbed her to undergo sea practical training as an officer after obtaining Officer-in charge of a Navigational watch (11/1) Unlimited Certificate, thus making her the first to be so trained by LTT, not only in Nigeria and West Africa, but also across the continent.
(Transport and Business)
