Dr Kingsley Usoh, Pioneer ES, NIgeria Shippers’ Council being presented with Lifetime Award By the NSCSSA.
KOREDE FOGO
The pioneer Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Kingsley Usoh, on Thursday, said the Shippers’ Council tower was built and furnished with N250million.
The Shippers’ Council’s tower was commissioned by military President, Ibrahim Babangida. The tower with 11 floor, has two wings -A and B and ranked among the first high-rise building around former Parklane now Otunba Ayodele Soyele, Apapa.
Dr Usoh who was the executive secretary of the council from 1987 to 1995, disclosed this yesterday at the silver jubilee anniversary of the NSC Senior Staff Association (NSCSSA) in Lagos.
According to him, the early years of the council was very challenging, saying at a point the council could not afford buying envelops to send letters or even pay salaries.
But, he said due to dint of hardwork and perseverance, he was able to turn the fortune of the council around to be a toast of the industry.
He said, “this edifice was built and furnished with N250milliion. At a point, we couldn’t pay salary. Even, we can’t afford buying of envelopes to send letters as we have to place white paper on the back of an envelope used to send us letter if we want to reply same letter. But, we thank God where Shippers’ Council is today.
Shippers’ Tower, Apapa, Lagos
“If you believe in yourself, no matter the obstacle, you will get their. I ensure that the manpower was trained and now, no agency in the maritime sector is better than Shippers’ Council. The federal government knows this that they see the council as the think tank of the industry.”
Usoh, also described Shippers’ Council as a research-based organization and encouraged members of staff to distinguish themselves with character and intellect.
While expressing delight at the level of human capital and infrastructural developments at the Council, Usoh urged members of staff to always be knowledge-driven and retain its place as think-tank agency in the maritime sector.
“NSC is a research institute and not a commercial one. If you believe in NSC, you shouldn’t believe in writing petitions to destroy those bent on achieving things. I believe the manpower in NSC is superior to those in other agencies. This is because we always trained the NSC staff to be knowledgeable and knowledge-driven. You can tell what the facts are and give the critical information to guide government and guide the industry,” he said.
Usoh also encouraged the NSC staff to work with a disposition that they have contributions to make at the Council and ensure that their contributions will be positive in a bid to take the agency to higher heights.
However, the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Mr. Emmanuel Jime noted that the robust relationship between the association and the management of the council have immensely contributed to the development and welfare of all staff members and the association at large.
Jime who was represented by the director of Human Resource, Mrs. Adaku Okam, commended the efforts and contributions made by past and present executives. He however called for the continued support of the management and all members of the association in order to achieve greater feats.
“Everything we have achieved today was due to the efforts and contributions of our past heroes in the association and the robust relationship between the Management and the Union. Let us continue to push on collectively to achieve more success. To whom much is given much is expected. The reward for good work is more work. Dear colleagues, let’s continue to do the good work because we strongly believe that together we can be better” Jime said.
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the president of the Association, Comrade Christopher Faloye, stated that Silver Jubilee Celebration was aimed at appreciating all those who have contributed to the success story of the Association as well as the Management of the Council for creating a conducive environment for all staff to carry out their statutory duties and activities without stress.
Faloye noted that the association which started its journey in 1997 has made several milestone achievements adding that the promotion of staff members before now had not been very smooth or timely.
According to him, three years eligibility for promotion is now been adhered to even as he noted that under his tenure, the association has been able to get approval for the initiation of a yearly payment of Children Education Grant, Exit Allowance and also pushed for a 30-Working Days Annual Leave for staff members.
“Since the commencement of this tenure, we have maintained a cordial Industrial relationship with our Management, which is manifesting in the peace and tranquility we all enjoy at NSC today. Before now it could span up to five years, or more before the Promotion exercise was conducted but since we came on board we have received cooperation from Management, and promotions have been done as at when due.
“Before now there was nothing like Children Education Grant, but this was negotiated and we got Management approval for the yearly payment of Children Education Grant. The Union was instrumental to the Exit Allowance which came into effect at the Salary Enhancement NSC secured in 2017 but became effective in January 2018. This is enjoyed at the exit point. We also pushed for a 30 working day Annual Leave under our indefatigable ES/CEO Comrade General Barrister Hassan Bello, the immediate past Chief Executive” Faloye said.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to the past Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Council which include: Dr. Kingsley E. Usoh, Chief Adebayo Babatunde Sarumi, Captain Adamu Biu, Barrister Hassan Bello, and Hon. Emmanuel Jime; Past Presidents of the association include; Comrade Sidi Ali, Comrade Moses Olayemi Fadipe, Comrade Mukhtar Adikwu, Comrade Christopher Olatunji Faloye, and other deserving heroes of the association.