The New Experience Newspapers Online News Indepth, Analysis and More
Empowering Women: NPA MD Dantsoho Reiterates Commitment to Gender Equality
By prince Benson Davies
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated its dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering women, as part of its efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Speaking on the occasion of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) with the theme “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” she noted that the Authority remains steadfast in participating in the International Women’s Day celebration, as well as creating systems and structures that promote women’s rights and empowerment in Nigeria.
“For us in the Nigerian Ports Authority, we do not see IWD as another day to pay lip service to women’s rights and economic empowerment.”
The MD disclosed that the Authority has been actively recognizing and advocating for women’s rights and equality in the Ports Authority, saying the organization does not put any limit on the capacity of women and the possibilities available to them.
He said, “For us in the Nigerian Ports Authority, we do not see IWD as another day to pay lip service to women’s rights and economic empowerment. Rather, it is a day to reflect on what we have done and to commit to doing even more.”
The MD reaffirmed that the Authority has been devoted to championing women’s empowerment and gender equality since its inception.
Some of our laudable achievements in this regard include:
Extension in the period of maternity leave for women to six months.
Ensuring that getting pregnant out of wedlock does not stop a woman from getting what is due to her.
• Giving nursing mothers the privilege of reporting for duty one hour after the official resumption time and closing an hour earlier than the official closing time every day.
• Ensuring that women are in charge of key responsibilities at the Authority.”
He highlighted that NPA currently has a woman serving as Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs Vivian C. Richard-Edet, and in recent years, has had at least 12 women general managers and port managers.
“As an organisation, we promise to remain unrelenting in supporting the rights and equality for all women and girls and to practically create opportunities for women.”
According to the MD, in addition to leadership roles, Nigerian women are embedded into the different units and arms of the NPA. This is as women work as pilots, in the fire service, as security officials, medical personnel, and engineers within the Ports Authority.
“These are just some examples of the ways the NPA has and is actively recognizing and advocating for women’s rights and equality. We do not put any limit on the capacity of women and the possibilities available to them,” he stated
The MD, however, said that despite the feats the NPA has achieved as an organization, it is not yet uhuru when women and girls are still being subjected to various forms of discrimination, inequality, injustice, and abuse because of their gender.
“As an organization, we promise to remain unrelenting in supporting the rights and equality for all women and girls and to practically create opportunities for women and girls within and outside the NPA to be empowered to the best of their abilities.
