In a move aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria has contributed to the blue economy by donating a fishing boat to women in Osoroko community, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
The President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs. Eunice Ezeoke, emphasized the association’s commitment to supporting the blue economy, stating, “We are here to accomplish one of WISTA Nigeria’s CSR, which is the donation of a fishing boat to women in Osoroko community. We chose this community because they are prolific in fishing and also trading snails, prawns, crayfish, among other seafoods.”
Highlighting the abundance of resources in the marine ecosystem, Ezeoke expressed the association’s intent to empower women to tap into these opportunities while ensuring the preservation of the marine environment.
As part of the initiative, WISTA Nigeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community to support the expansion of the marketing and value-chain of the fishing operators. Ezeoke noted that the MoU, developed hastily after a recent visit, would be refined in the coming weeks.
The Olosoroko of Osoroko Kingdom, Oba Olusegun Ebenezer Oyiri, expressed gratitude for the donation, recognizing crayfish as the mainstay of the community’s economy. He urged WISTA to partner with the women to add value to and export crayfish, envisioning Osoroko as a hub for crayfish business in Lagos.
Mrs. Carol Ufere, speaking on behalf of the WISTA Diamonds, commended WISTA’s CSR projects and highlighted the significance of the boat donation. She emphasized the importance of putting the boats to good use for the community to enjoy the benefits, marking the donation as a climax to the President’s tenure.
