In what has been described as compliance to the Act establishing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Calistus Nwabueze Obi has taken over as the Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer following the handing over by Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi as directed by the Federal Government.
Obi, who until his appointment was the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services in the Agency, brings over two decades experience in the public sector, law practice and the maritime industry into his new responsibility.
Sections 6 & 7 of the NIMASA Act stipulated that the DG of NIMASA should possess “relevant experience and capacity applicable to maritime administration, recognized expert knowledge, qualification and experience in one or more of the following fields; maritime safety, maritime security, maritime pollution, nautical sciences and hydrographic and maritime engineering, finance, marine law, transport logistics, administration and marine labour.
Born on May 1, 1964, Barrister Obi, who hails from Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, studied Law at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1991 after duly completing the mandatory studies at the Law School. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The Acting DG is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), member of the International Bar Association (IBA), Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, amongst membership of several other professional associations.
As the one at the helm of affairs of maritime labour and cabotage services, a core of NIMASA functions, he is expected to frontally address the problem associated with inability of Nigerians to dominate coastal shipping trade.
Mr. Obi is married with children.
