Dr. Louis Ekere, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited and Weld Healthcare Limited, has been appointed as Vice-Chairman of the new Executive Council of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN). Did.
Mr Eleke and other newly elected SOAN Executive Committee members were inaugurated on Friday at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos State.
The event brought together some of the biggest names in Nigeria’s maritime sector, including Ekere.
Mr. Ekere's appointment is widely recognized by stakeholders in the sector as a well-deserved honor for this resourceful entrepreneur, especially as a testament to his suitability for the role of SOAN First Vice President. There is.
A true visionary, change-maker and revolutionary, Ekere has demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit that continues to leave an indelible mark on the Nigerian and African maritime world.
Ekere is a person of high level of professionalism with an innovative and proactive approach to solving problems in the industry and across the nation.
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.
The newly elected Vice President is particularly notable for his ability to resolve conflicts, which comes from years of practice and understanding.
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 was awarded the National Commendation and Achievement Award for Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) by the Federal Government of Nigeria in recognition of his service to humanity and significant contributions to maritime, oil and gas, and medicine. Nigerian industry.
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).
Ekere (OON) has a unique knowledge and is a graduate of several courses from prestigious schools, including the OPM 52 course at Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts, and the Executive Management Program at IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. Program (CEP) from Lagos Business School (LBS), Master of Business Administration (MBA) from 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.
Mr. Ekere, who is also an entrepreneur, has employed over 500 Nigerians over the past decade and has sponsored indigenous peoples in 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.
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