The Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) has taken the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign programme to the prestigious Vivian Fowler Memorial College For Girls, Oregun-Ikeja Lagos, South-West Nigeria.
The event which is the continuation of the pet project execution of the crowned Face Of Maritime International, Queen Roselyn Olanisimi for the 2024/2025 service reign saw about 100 school girls in attendance.
Addressing the participants during his paper presentation, the Guest Speaker, Capt Sunday Umoren, Secretary-General of Abuja MOU on Port State Control For West and Central African Region, encouraged the school girls to take maritime career path, assuring them that career at sea is adventurous, exciting and lucrative even though it’ has its own challenges.
L-R: Capt Sunday Umore, Secretary-General, Abuja MOU; Mr Sylvanus Obasi, Director of FOMI; Queen Roselyn Olanisimi, Crowned FOMI 2024/25; Mrs Rollens Macfoy, President Women In Maritime Africa during the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Program on Tuesday at Vivian Fowler Memorial College For Girls, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos.
Capt Umoren, who spoke on the topic, “Career Prospects For Women In The Maritime Industry”, urged the students to challenge societal stereotype by venturing and conquering professional career paths hitherto dominated by men.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Nigerian President of Women In Maritime African, Mrs Rollens Macfoy noted that the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign project is a catch-them-young program designed to sensitize and encourage Nigerian secondary school girls to take maritime career path by choosing to study maritime related courses at their tertiary education level in order to qualify for job opportunities available for women in the maritime sector.
A section of students listening to the career talks during the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Program on Tuesday at Vivian Fowler Memorial College For Girls, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking further, the gender advocate who spoke on a motivational topic, entitled “What A Man Can Do; A Woman Can Do Better” told the school girls that the good thing about the maritime sector is that it’s vast and accommodates professionals from virtually all fields of studies.
Earlier in her keynote speech, the reigning FOMI Queen, Miss Roselyn Olanisimi said it was a thing of honour for her to lead the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign program to the prestigious college.
According to her, “I am honored to stand before you today to talk about an incredible career path that offers adventure, challenge, and immense reward: a career in the maritime industry.
Queen Roselyn Olanisimi distributing some souvenirs to the students during the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Program on Tuesday at Vivian Fowler Memorial College For Girls, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos.
“As we gather here today for “Girls-Go-To-Sea,” I want to emphasize that maritime careers are not just for boys. Girls and women can equally excel in this field and make a real difference.
“The maritime industry is a vast and dynamic sector that encompasses shipping, logistics, ports, and more. It’s an industry that connects the world, facilitating global trade and commerce.
“But despite its importance, the maritime industry faces a significant challenge: a lack of diversity. Women make up only a small percentage of the workforce, and girls are often discouraged from pursuing maritime careers.
“Today, we want to change this narrative. We want to inspire and empower you girls to consider maritime careers and to show you that women have a place in this exciting industry”, Queen Roselyn stated.
Speaking earlier in her welcome address, the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs Niyatha Krishnan expressed her deepest appreciation to the organisers, Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) for choosing their school for the project. She told the students to consider themselves lucky for benefiting from the maritime career talk.
Mrs Niyatha Krishnan, Head Teacher of the School giving a welcome speech during the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Program on Tuesday at Vivian Fowler Memorial College For Girls, Oregun-Ikeja, Lagos.
Mrs Krishnan noted that during their days, they never had the opportunity of being exposed to career opportunities in the maritime sector. She however encouraged the students to make the most of the opportunity by considering taking career at sea.
The organisers also distributed FOMI branded exercise books and pens to the students as project souvenirs.
