AMJON Honours ABER Women’s Forum Secretary-General For Outstanding Maritime Leadership
By Dim Oba, LAGOS — The Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) has honoured the Secretary-General of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) Women’s Forum, Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Christiana Anyika, for her outstanding performance, exemplary leadership and meritorious contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The award was presented in Lagos by AMJON, led by its President, Mrs. Vera Osokpo, in recognition of Anyika’s more than two decades of contributions to maritime administration, transport logistics, marine tourism and advocacy for women and young professionals in the blue economy.
Anyika, a Deputy Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Head of the Maritime Guard Command Administration, is responsible for personnel management, staff welfare, audit and operational support within the agency.
Beyond her national responsibilities, she serves as Secretary-General of the ABER Women’s Forum, where she drives policy engagement, capacity development and strategic partnerships aimed at increasing women’s participation and leadership across Africa’s maritime, fisheries, shipping, ports, marine tourism and wider blue economy sectors.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Anyika said the recognition would further strengthen the Forum’s determination to create opportunities for women and young professionals across the continent.
“This honour strengthens our resolve at the ABER Women’s Forum to amplify African women’s voices in maritime governance and economic development. Leadership must translate into real opportunities for more women and young professionals across the continent.”
Anyika also holds leadership positions with Women in Energy, Oil & Gas (WEOG) and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA).
She holds a PhD in Transport Logistics, specialising in Marine Tourism, as well as an MSc in Marine Policy from Cardiff University. Her professional career has focused on bridging policy, practice and innovation within the maritime and blue economy sectors.
In a special gesture, AMJON also celebrated Anyika’s birthday during the award ceremony.
AMJON President, Osokpo, said the recognition underscored the association’s commitment to celebrating excellence and highlighting the growing contributions of women to the development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
About ABER Women’s Forum
The Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER) Women’s Forum is the gender and youth platform of ABER, established to promote greater participation and leadership of women and young people in Africa’s blue economy.
Its activities include policy advocacy, capacity building, enterprise development, mentorship, training, access to finance and strategic partnerships designed to promote inclusive and sustainable utilisation of Africa’s ocean and water resources.
The Forum also advocates gender-responsive policies across the maritime, fisheries, shipping, ports, marine tourism and inland waterways sectors, while promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing among women professionals and entrepreneurs across Africa.
Through advocacy, partnerships and targeted programmes, the ABER Women’s Forum seeks to build a more inclusive, competitive and sustainable blue economy for the continent.
Congratulations to Dr. Chizoba Christiana Anyika on the well-deserved recognition.
