Sarumi elected 5th president of Nigerian Chamber of Shipping

The Former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi, has been elected as the 5th President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS).

Sarumi had served as the Managing Director of NPA from Oct. 15, 2003 to May 2007.

Mr Bolaji Akinola, the Spokesman of the chamber, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that Sarumi was elected on July 22.

He said that Sarumi replaced Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe who died in New York, U.S. on Oct. 28, 2013.

Akinola said that Sarumi during his tenure at NPA, executed the Federal Government’s port reform programme which led to the successful transfer of terminal handling operations from NPA to private companies.

“His election came barely two weeks after stakeholders in the maritime industry held a colloquium on port reform in Lagos to mark the port industry icon’s 70th birthday.

“Sarumi has over the years become synonymous with transport and logistics management, particularly in the maritime sector.

“He honed his skills in port and shipping administration in over four decades of academic and professional studies as well as industry experience.

“Armed with his degree in Geography, he taught in schools for a few years before he joined the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as a Traffic Officer in 1973,“ Akinola said.

The NCS spokesman said that Sarumi was appointed as the General Manager, Marine Services of NPA in 1995.

He was also appointed the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in September 1996.

Akinola said that Sarumi’s primary objective is to ensure that indigenous operators participate fully in coastal and international trades.