The Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) has taken the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign programme to Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School (LAGGS) in Surulere Lagos, South-West Nigeria.
The occasion which officially kick-started the pet project execution of the newly crowned Face Of Maritime International, Queen Roselyn Olanisimi for the 2024/2025 service reign saw about 300 school girls in attendance.
Addressing the participants, the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Funmilayo Olotu, 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.
Olotu, the longest serving female port manager in the history of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) who spoke on the topic, ‘What a Man Can Do, A Woman Can Do Better,’ urged the students to challenge societal stereotype by venturing and conquering professional career paths hitherto dominated by men.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director of FOMI, Mr. Sylvanus Obasi, noted that the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign project is a catch-them-young programme designed to sensitise 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.
Speaking further, the frontline maritime media practitioner told the school girls that the good thing about the maritime sector is that it is vast and accommodates professionals from virtually all fields of studies.
Earlier in her keynote speech, the reigning FOMI Queen, Olanisimi said it was a thing of honour for her to lead the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign programme to the prestigious LAGGS.
She said: “I am honoured 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.
“As we gather here today for ‘Girls-Go-To-Sea,’ I want to emphasise 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 is 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.”
Speaking earlier in her welcome address, the Principal of the school, Chief Mrs. Folasade Ogedengbe, expressed her deepest appreciation to the organisers, FOMI for choosing their school for the project.
She told the students to consider themselves lucky for benefiting from the maritime career talk.
Ogedengbe who was represented by the Vice Principal, Admin; Mr. Olugbenga Lawal, said that during their days, they never had the opportunity of being exposed to career opportunities in the maritime sector.
He 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 to the students as project souvenirs.