From left: Acting Director General of NIMASA, Honourable Chudi Offodile receives handover note from the outgoing DG, Dr. Bashir Jamoh at a brief and near solemn ceremony at NIMASA Towers, Lagos.

It was a brief and near solemn occasion at the new headquarters of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, located on Victoria Island, Lagos, as the outgoing Director General of the Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR, handed over the reins of power to the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Honourable Chudi Offodile, who is the most senior officer of the Agency.

The event, which took place Monday, follows the expiration of Jamoh’s four-year tenure on March 10, 2024. Recall that Dr. Jamoh, who took over from Dr. Dakuku Peterside, was appointed March 10, 2019 in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Speaking at the brief ceremony at the NIMASA Towers on Adetokumbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Jamoh expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving him the opportunity to serve as Director General and urged the next leadership of the Agency to consolidate on the gains of the past four years.

“I wish to express my gratitude to Almighty Allah and the Federal Government for the privilege given me to serve Nigeria in this capacity, as I count myself a privileged Nigerian to have occupied this position, while also contributing my quota to Nigeria’s maritime sector.

“Let me also use this opportunity to assure the members staff of the Agency that wherever I am, I will still remain a part of this family; a place I have spent the active 30 years of my life”, Jamoh said emotionally. 

He also used the opportunity to thank staffers of the Agency for the cooperation enjoyed and their professionalism in assisting the Agency in the realisation of its mandate. He enjoined them to keep up the good work and cooperate with the new leadership of the Agency.

Meanwhile, Honourable Chudi Offodile thanked Jamoh for bringing his wealth of experience to the sector, while also stating that the expertise of the outgoing DG will continue to be needed in the industry.

“I want to express my gratitude to the outgoing DG for being a guide to me upon assumption of office as the Executive Director, Finance & Administration, four years ago. The industry will continue to call on you for your expertise”, the acting DG said.

Dr. Jamoh handed over to Offodile in compliance with the Federal Government Establishment Circular entitled: “End of Tenure Processes for Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Director-Generals, Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals, Agencies, Commissions, and Government-Owned Companies and Succession Guideline” dated December 4, 2017.