The story behind Jamoh’s bowing out of NIMASA, handing over to Chudi Offodile
A story published by an industry publication earlier facilitated what it described as surreptitious moves to illegally prolong his tenure as Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
The said publication had reported exclusively that Jamoh’s tenure would end on Sunday 10th March. The report, which gained traction in the public space, got the attention of the Federal Government, prompting the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to direct the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Oloruntola Olufemi to instruct Jamoh to hand over the reigns of office to the most senior Executive Director in the agency.
Jamoh had resumed work normally on Monday 11th March 2024 despite the expiration of his tenure a day earlier, until a letter from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy arrived his office, directing him to hand over to the most senior Executive Director in the agency.
The letter titled “COMPLETION OF TENURE AS DIRECTOR GENERAL/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)” was dated 10th March 2024 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi.
The letter effectively ended moves to extend Jamoh’s stay in office and confirmed the reluctance of the Federal Government to renew his tenure.
“Upon receipt of the letter, he had to quickly prepare his handover note and relinquish office to the most senior Executive Director Mr Chudi Offodile, who is the Executive Director, Finance and Administration,” a Director in NIMASA, who did not want his name in print said”.
Recall the tenure of Bashir Jamoh as the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) formally came to an end on Sunday.
The erstwhile NIMASA Director General formally handed over the reigns of office to the agency’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chudi Offodile.
During the handover ceremony at NIMASA Towers in Victoria Island, Jamoh expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving him the opportunity to serve in the capacity 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 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 the Nigerian maritime sector.
Let me also use this opportunity to assure the 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.
He thanked the staff of the agency for their cooperation and their professionalism during his tenure.
On his part, the acting NIMASA Director-General, Chudi Offodile said, “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.”