Stakeholders eulogise Fumilayo Olotu as Charles Okaga resumes as new Apapa Port Manager

Maritime stakeholders including terminal operators, shipping companies, haulage truck operators on Thursday praised the immediate past Port Manager of the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, Mrs. Fumilayo Olotu over her feats at the premier port in Apapa in the last four years.

Olotu, who has been redeployed to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Headquarters in Marina as Assistant General Manager, Tariff and Billing handed over the reins of office to her successor, Charles Okaga.

Olotu is the longest serving female port manager in the history of NPA with a total of seven years from Calabar to LPC.

Speaking at the ceremony held at Rockview Hotel in Apapa, the Country Managing Director of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke; Managing Director, ENL Consortium, Mark Walsh; and Managing Director, GDNL Terminal, Akin Omole, eulogize Olotu for her commitment to excellent service delivery at the port which they attributed to her penchant for professionalism.

Omole commended Olotu for exhibiting professionalism during her service at the port, saying the port, under her leadership, recorded numerous achievements.

In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of Trucks Transit Parks (TTP), Jama Onwubuariri who was represented by Irabor Akonoman commended Olotu for supporting the electronic call-up and its operations.

“She serves as an advisor, and consultant to our company, keeping us on our toes to ensure that the Eto system works, and the results are everywhere. We at TTP wished Mrs Olotu success in her new endeavours,” he said.

Also speaking, the Port Manager, Tin Can Island Port Complex, Buba Jibril said Olotu, whom he has known for 34 years, is exceptional in her work ethics.

He said the outgoing Port Manager changed positively the work environment at Calabar Port and the Lagos Port Complex Apapa where she served as the Port Manager.

On his part, Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) Remi Ogungbemi commended Olotu for supporting the TTP electronic call up system which he said has helped in restoring sanity and smooth evacuation of trucks at the Aport port.

In her valedictory speech, Olotu said upon assumption of office four years ago, she was confronted with enormous challenges, but was able to overcome all through hard work, firmness, fairness, friendliness, transparency, accountability and equity.

Olotu said with a strong commitment to professionalism, the port, under her watch, was able to win the fight against corruption, facilitated trade and surmounted other challenges that hindered effective business activities at the Apapa port.

On her achievements as Port Manager of LPC, she said she was able to improve trade facilitation in a safe, secure and customer-friendly environment, zero tolerance for corruption, debt recovery, increased revenue generation, and collection, recognition of star performance of workers irrespective of cadre.

She commended the contribution of the heads of departments and the entire workforce of LPC, members of trade unions, terminal operators, the shipping community, government agencies, clearing agents, trucker associations, security operatives and other stakeholders in and around the Apapa maritime domain.

Olotu charged all stakeholders to extend the same high level of collaboration and even more to her successors, Mr Charles Okaga.

She advised her successor to stay focused on the mandate of the Federal Government as directed by Executive Management and be true to his conscience in discharging his duties, saying, “This is what will determine your success”.

“For me leadership is about being principled and not being popular because I have come to realise that principal measures will beget positive popularity. To whom much is given, much is expected. I encourage you to settle in your new role and put in your exceptional best.”