The Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited and Welled Healthcare Limited, Dr. Louis Ekere, has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of the New Executive Council (NEC) of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).
On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Shipowners Association of Nigeria inaugurated new Executive Council members. The event, which was held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, brought together some of the finest in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Mr. Ekere's appointment is a well-deserved honor, with experts highlighting the achievements of this resourceful entrepreneur among other things, and proof of his suitability for the role of SOAN First Vice President. Widely recognized by those involved in the field.
There is no denying that Ekere is a true visionary, change-maker and revolutionary. His bold entrepreneurial spirit continues to leave an indelible mark on the Nigerian and African maritime world.
But perhaps his most influential undertaking to date was his management role as vice president of SOAN. Ekere is expected to use his business acumen to disrupt the status quo and entrench the delicate balance in one direction.
Dr. Louis Ekere is a highly professional individual with an innovative and proactive approach to solving industry and nation-wide problems.
Ekere’s story contains elements of what we think of as a quintessential Nigerian story: passion, ingenuity and, ultimately, an industry with integrity. In short, Ekere's story turns out to be a universal story. It is a story about striving for excellence, the power of initiative to challenge the status quo, and the potential of individuals to create new opportunities that benefit not only themselves and their maritime communities, but wider society. world.
He is especially notable for his ability to resolve conflicts. This comes from his years of practice and understanding that the best way to find solutions and common ground is to build individual and group relationships based on trust.
No one in the maritime sector understands this better than Mr. Ekere. His list of accomplishments is impressive, but most impressive is his ability to build bridges, bring people together, and get things done. Even if the parties disagree on many issues, he creates opportunities for future cooperation.
Mr. Ekere, an experienced professional, was awarded the National Commendation and Achievement Award for Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria for his contributions to humanity and significant contributions to the maritime and petroleum sectors. Nigeria's gas and healthcare industries.
He was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by former US President Donald Trump in 2019, and received an honorary doctorate from Trinity International Ambassadors University in Georgia, US. He is a member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria (IoD).
Dr. Ekere (OON) has unique knowledge and has graduated from several courses from prestigious schools. OPM 52 Course at Harvard Business School in Boston, MA, Executive Management Program at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, Chief Executive Officer Program (CEP) at Lagos Business School (LBS), Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Lagos State University (LASU) and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics from Edo State University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.
Ekere is also involved in several charitable causes such as free medical testing on World Hepatitis Day and free medical assistance in Ajah, Lagos and surrounding areas to get people tested for chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. are also participating.
As an entrepreneur, Mr. Ekere has employed over 500 Nigerians over the past decade and supported indigenous peoples in the host communities where Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited operates.
Prior to his appointment as SOAN's first vice president, Ekere served as the chair of the organization's Ethics and Privileges Committee.
In his new appointment, he is expected to use his extensive experience to transform SOAN's operations and the shipping industry in general.
Other recent appointees to the SOAN Executive Council include Sonny Ejah (Chairman), Gbolahan Shaba (Second Vice-Chairman), Babalola Adefarati (Secretary/Treasurer), Irogama Ogbeifun (Technical Committee Member) and Bem Ibrahim Garba (Chairman of the Training and Capacity Development Committee). ), Emmanuel Oken (Chairman of the Finance and Membership Committee) and Bassey Adi (Chairman the Ethics and Privileges Committee).
Among other things, the new exco is expected to further the interests of its members and provide a forum for dialogue for Nigerian shipowners. The exco is expected to foster the participation of shipowners in global forums on shipping issues through effective representation at important meetings.
They are expected to develop and maintain good relationships with government and maritime authorities by sharing their expertise in developing policies and regulations regarding domestic shipping and maritime activities.
The new management team is also expected to vigorously promote world-class training and benefits packages for Nigerian seafarers onboard Nigerian-owned vessels, to name a few.
