STOAN: Oyong emerge new President

Dr. McGeorge Oyong, Managing Director of Jevkon Oil has emerged the new President of Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), yesterday, at its elections held at the Avenue Suites Victoria Island, Lagos.

He polled 12 votes to beat his runner up, Engr. Alfred Okoigun with 2 votes.

This is even as Messrs Enoh Williams and Sonny Eja emerged 1st and 2nd Vice President, respectively with 22 votes each. While Mr. Wilson Nwagwu polled 22 votes to emerge Chairman, Training and Capacity Building Committee, Engr. Lucky Akhiwu scored 12 votes to defeat Stan Athekane with 2 votes as the new Chairman, Technical Committee.

Twenty of the thirty member house cast their votes to produce the third exco, which also include Babalola Adefarati, Financial Secretary/Treasurer, Mr. Wisdom Nwagwu, Chairman, Training and Capacity Building Committee, Mrs. Iroghama Obuoforibo, Chairman, Finance and Membership Committee and Dr. Louis Ekere, Chairman, Ethics and Privileges Committee; all of whom were returned unopposed with 22 votes each.

The very essential and cerebral pioneer president of the association, Engr. Greig Ogbeifun was retained as Ex-officio member.

The election which was conducted in the most professional and peaceful manner had Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi as returning officer, with observers from front line stakeholders like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and maritime journalists.

In his acceptance speech, the new SOAN President promised to run an ‘inclusive and consultative’ administration that would grow local ship owners stake in the economy and benefit shipowners in the country.

On his part, the immediate past president pledged to continue to avail SOAN everything at his disposal to ease the job of the new administration. “I want to publicly pledge my unalloyed support to the new administration including all my resources, time, contact, network at their disposal”, he said, noting that SOAN will not stop at supporting government to achieve capacity participation in indigenous shipping development.

The new exco will be inaugurated next month, in April.