By Monica Uzenwoke
In furtherance to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria has donated a fishing boat to the women of Osoroko community in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. This is even as the association also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community in a bid to support the expansion, marketing and value-chain business of fishing for export purposes.
Speaking while presenting the boat to the community, President of WISTA Nigeria and Former Port Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, disclosed that the boat was the association’s contribution in the spirit of supporting blue economy which has become prominent in Nigeria.
According to her: “We are here to accomplish one of WISTA Nigeria’s CSR which is the donation of a fishing boat to women in Osoroko community. We chose this community because they are prolific in fishing and also trading snails, prawns, crayfish, among other seafoods.”
“There are lots of resources in marine ecosystem and we are empowering these women to be able to tap into these opportunities. Of course, we are also concerned about preserving the marine environment.”
Speaking about the MOU, the WISTA President said, “This is simply a draft MoU that will be fine-tuned over the next few weeks because we developed the MoU hurriedly after our visit last Saturday,”.
In his speech while receiving the boat, the Olosoroko of Osoroko Kingdom, Oba Olusegun Ebenezer Oyiri, who was acompanied by his beautiful wives, called Oloris and the community leaders, expressed gratitude to WISTA Nigeria for the kind gesture.
Oba Olusegun stated that crayfish is the mainstay of the community’s economy, however, he encouraged WISTA to partner with the women in the community to add value and export crayfish.
“Osoroko can be a hub for crayfish business in Lagos and a center for partnership with WISTA. However, my dream is that our women can be able to export crayfish and we will appreciate if WISTA can extend its partnership to realize this,” he said.
Also speaking, the Vice President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Anna Akpan, expressed delight that the community women were already gainfully engaged in fishing.
“You can see that the women here are industrious. What we have done is empower them to do more. Every woman should be encouraged to be better,” she said.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the WISTA Diamonds, Former Port Manager, Onne Port Complex of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Mrs Carol Ufere, maintained that WISTA had done several commendable CSR projects even outside Lagos, but described the Osoroko CSR outing as a climax with the traditional ruler to witness it.
“The donation of the boats also coincides with the end of the tenure of the current President.
You can see that the community is alive and brimming with activities including their cultural dance and seafood. The women should put the boats to good use so that the community will enjoy the benefits,” Ufere remarked.
On her part, the Supervisor for Agriculture and Community Affairs, Lekki local council development areas (LCDAs), Hon. Adeleke Olabanjo, described the Osoroko community as a privileged one as the first beneficiary of the WISTA CSR among the Lekki LCDAs.
She urged the women to put the fishing boat to adequate use in order to better their economic well-being.
Donation of the fishing boat to Osoroko community women is the first leg of WISTA Nigeria CRS project for the year 2024. The second leg of the program will take place next week Tuesday at Sabonkoji community in Amuwo-Odofin LGA.
