IWD: Nigerian women of distinctions

As we celebrate women worldwide  today,   8th of March, 2025, on the International Women’s Day (IWD), it is pertinent to do a critical examination of womanhood. Who, indeed, is a woman? It is a simple but tasking assignment.

Our mother is the first woman we knew, who shaped our personality, our totality. How do we describe her? Confidant. lnspiration. Adviser. Teacher. Counsellor. Helper. Gold. The godmother.

Anybody who attracts these attributes deserves massive respect, our love, and she should be venerated.

This informed the decision of the United Nations to dedicate today, 8th of March of every year to celebrating the womenfolk worldwide.

In the Nigerian freight forwarding industry, a long list of women have distinguished themselves, not only as astute professionals but as mothers, philanthropists, and leaders. They include Mfon Usoro, a distinguished legal practitioner who became the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hajia Bola Muse, CEO of Bomarah Investment Group, Barrister  Anishere Jean Chiazor, a maritime legal practitioner who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs Adenike Aboderin, the Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company, (SAHCO), and Mrs. Nancy Nnamdi, Corporate Communications Manager, Trucks Transit Parks Ltd.

Hajia Bola Muse is one shining example of a woman of good virtues, worthy of celebration.  As the Managing Director of Bomarah Investment Group, she has under her umbrella a fleet of companies with tentacles in shipping,  logistics, stevedores, customs brokerage,  import, export,  Entertainment,  agriculture, estate management and philanthropy. Besides these, Madam Muse is beauty personified.

At the  Trucks Transit Parks (TTP) Ltd, a leading technological company, Mrs. Nancy Nnamdi has done creditably well projecting the image of TTP in the freight forwarding subsector. She is a media-friendly personality.

PortNews begged Hajia Bola Muse and Mrs. Nancy Nnamdi off their busy schedule to engage them in brief separate interviews pertaining to womenfolk.

Women are worthy of celebration – Muse

As a woman, how do you feel working in the maritime industry dominated by men?
Honestly am very proud of myself, it’s an honor see myself doing a good job and add value to the society, couple with fact that maritime is not for men only but because men are more than women that is why the orientation of thinking arrived.

Are women sufficiently represented in the Nigerian maritime industry?

Not really. But through our advocacy, we are coming up because everyone thinks maritime is for men only. But with people like my adorable Olori Princess Vicky Haastrup, Chief Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa, who some of us seeing as our mentor. The awareness is gaining ground and more women are coming on board the industry.

Don’t you think Nigerian women are coming up stronger and asserting themselves in professional careers, or negating widely held notion that women are inferior?
From ration 1-10, I will say women are more involved 6% and it’s well applaud, the momentum is better than those days

Do we really need to set a day aside to celebrate the womenfolk worldwide?
Yes, 100% women are worthy of celebration, every day of our lives not any particular period.

What do you aspire to be as a lady, a professional? Ever imagined being a Governor of your state or President of Nigeria?
Everything is in the hands of Almighty God, he has the final say,if at al,l am aspire to be the first female of ANLCA President, charity begins at home.

Any words of advice for young girl?
They should scale up action, in their various endeavour.

Working in maritime industry as a woman is challenging –  Nnamdi

As a woman, how do you feel working in the maritime industry dominated by men?
The maritime industry, like many others, has historically been male-dominated, but that is changing. Working in this space as a woman is both challenging and rewarding. There are moments when you have to assert yourself more to be heard, but I see that as an opportunity to demonstrate competence and leadership. Women bring unique perspectives, problem-solving skills, and resilience that enhance the industry. I am also fortunate to work in an organisation whose men value professionalism over gender, and that’s the kind of culture we need to foster—one where talent and expertise speak louder than stereotypes. At the end of the day, no matter how male-dominated an industry is, if you are diligent, smart, hard working and confident, you can break the glass ceiling and rise to the top of your professional career, earning the respect of your male counterparts along the way.

 Are women sufficiently represented in the Nigerian maritime industry?
Sadly, women are still underrepresented, especially in leadership and technical roles. While there are growing numbers of women in administrative and regulatory positions, the real gap is in operational and executive decision-making roles. However, we cannot deny that progress is being made; thanks in part to the global push for gender equality and the growing awareness of the importance of women’s participation in all sectors of society.  Organizations like WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) are advocating for gender inclusion, and more women are breaking barriers. The key now is intentional policies; mentorship programs, leadership training, and recruitment strategies that ensure women are not just present but are thriving in the industry.

Don’t you think Nigerian women are coming up stronger and asserting themselves in professional careers, or negating the widely held notion that women are inferior?
Absolutely! Nigerian women have consistently proven their competence across various sectors – banking, technology, politics, and, of course, maritime. We are seeing more women rise to leadership positions, launch successful businesses, and innovate in industries traditionally dominated by men. We have so many start-ups being founded and successfully run by women, raising funds from investors and putting Nigeria on the world map. But while individual success stories are inspiring, we must ensure systemic and all-around change, it has to cut across all sectors, especially ones like the Maritime sector, just like we are seeing in the tech sector. Women shouldn’t have to “prove” themselves more than men to earn the same opportunities. The ultimate goal is a society where competence, not gender, determines one’s professional trajectory.

Do we really need to set a day aside to celebrate the womenfolk worldwide?
As a comms expert who also manages internal communications for my organisation, I had to think of how best to celebrate the day and celebrate the women. But during the planning, at some point, I felt a bit upset that we keep having the same conversations every year, and I was asking myself what’s the point. And then it dawned on me. For real change to occur, these conversations need to continuously be on the front burner and Women’s Day provides the perfect opportunity for that.

So yes, we do need a special day set aside to celebrate women globally, and not just as a celebration but as a moment of reflection. Women’s contributions have historically been undervalued or overlooked, and dedicating a day to women globally helps spotlight achievements, struggles, and the work still needed for gender equity. However, beyond the celebration, the real impact comes from continuous action; policies that support women’s growth, equal opportunities in education and leadership, and workplace environments that foster inclusion.

What do you aspire to be as a lady, a professional? Ever imagined being a Governor of your state or President of Nigeria?
Haha. Political position is certainly not an aspiration of mine. What I do aspire to however, is to rise to the top of my career, become the Director of Communications of a reputable organisation or parastatal, be a leader who drives meaningful impact, whether in my industry, community, or on a broader scale. Leadership, to me, is about problem-solving, inspiring change, and creating opportunities for others. While politics is one path, there are many ways to lead; through business, advocacy, or policy development. For now, my focus is on excelling in my field and contributing to solutions that improve the industry and society at large. I would also love to mentor a group of young aspiring women in communications, helping them hone skills that will help propel their career in the field. Another dream will be to be able to have enough money to sponsor young girls in tertiary institutions. These are aspirations, but as for the future? That remains to be seen!

 Any words of advice for a young girl?
As a woman myself who grew up in a humble background, one where I didn’t have all I needed to excel but being able to break through that barrier and succeed. My advice is certainly based on what I think helped me.

So, to the young girl out there, I say believe in yourself, invest in knowledge, and never let societal limitations define your potential. The world will always have opinions about what women “should” or “should not” do, but your capabilities are yours to develop. I cannot over-emphasize the role of hard work and diligence, let your work speak for you. Seek mentorship, build valuable skills, and be bold enough to take up space. Most importantly, remember that success is not about being perfect; it’s about perseverance, learning, and consistently showing up for yourself and your dreams. Don’t forget to celebrate the seemingly little successes, take delight in whatever you accomplish. Again, never cut corners, honesty pays, maintain integrity and you’ll blossom in due course.