Nigeria is expected to fill the position of Secretary General of Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), which has become vacant following the expiration of the current holder of the office, a Congolese national. The prized position rotates between the two maritime blocs of Central and West African regions. As the position returns to West Africa after the tenure of the outgoing incumbent, Nigeria is being tipped to present a candidate to occupy the top position in MOWCA which is headquartered in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

At the moment, a leading Nigerian maritime expert and practitioner, Mr. Green Ekeledo, has made a bid for the job. Ekeledo was a Deputy Director in charge of Maritime Ship Safety Administration with National Maritime Authority before it was rebranded as Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Authority (NIMASA). He is presently a practising Maritime Consultant with 26 years of experience in Maritime Ship Safety Administration and holds an MBA degree in Management.

However, investigations reveal that there are some underground moves by some interested parties from a section of the country to scuttle his bid on account of age. Ekeledo is 66 but a concerned industry watcher toldNews Expresson Thursday: “The issue of age is not a consideration in maritime organisations at global, continental and regional levels. The position of Secretary General at any of these levels is determined by cognate experience, professionalism and competence.

“For instance, the Secretary General of International Maritime Organization (IMO), Mr. Lin, from South Korea, is 73 years old, and he was given a second term of four years in January, 2020. He will be 77 years at the end of his second term in 2024. So, the argument on age as a factor against the leading Nigerian applicant is neither supported by any law or convention.

“It will serve Nigeria’s national interest better if we put forward our best professionals for the top job.”