The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh, tells ANOZIE EGOLIE and FAITH AJAYI about his career, marriage and other issues
What piqued your interest in the maritime sector?
I started my career in Kaduna State, with the Kaduna State Farmer Supply Company, which was financed by the World Bank. The company generally engaged in providing agricultural equipment. The nature of my work at that time was to import farm implement, agricultural seeds, and also buy excess grains and cotton. At that time, we usually imported some of the seeds from Switzerland and The Netherlands, and as a young worker, I used to travel to those countries.
Also, we used to import farm implement to be used in removing the grains. It was also my job to ‘clear’ those goods from the seaport. I used to come from Kaduna to Lagos to clear the goods, and take them back to Kaduna.
For the cotton, we used to have a process called ginnery. We would take the raw cotton to the ginnery, remove the cotton seeds and take them for use at the textile company. At that time, the Kaduna State government used to provide advance funds for us (Kaduna State Farmer Supply Company). We would then buy the cottons, take them to the ginnery and produce wrappers. At that time, Kaduna and Kano used to have some of the highest employments rate in the country. We also used to export textile materials to countries such as Japan and others in Southeast Asia, that produced high quality fabrics.
Basically, my job at the time usually took me close to water, because I would go to the port to clear my goods. Along the line, one of the commissioners that supervised the famers supply company became the Chief Executive Officer of the then National Maritime Authority, which transformed to NIMASA. We worked closely, and understood each other. When I realised that that commissioner (who was my former boss) was then in the NMA, I begin to develop interest, because I was very close to him. That was practically how I got into the maritime industry.
In recent times, you have been engaging with different stakeholders, especially in the area of disbursing the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund. What is the update on that?
We have finished meeting with the primary lending institutions, which are the banks that would be used to ensure the management, disbursement and safety of the funds. At the meeting, we told the chief executives of the banks what our expectations were. They also gave us their template and their expectations. We told them that the five of them (PLIs) should meet and come up with a single direction. On the issue of interest rates, we have given them our guide on the type of interest rates we expect from them.
We also met with other stakeholders, including the beneficiaries.
That is called ‘stakeholders engagement’. We have engaged them, so that we can be on the same page. We are in the process of harmonising the three sides— NIMASA, beneficiaries and PLIs.
In accordance with the law, we would then write our recommendations and send them to the Minister of Transportation. I have already briefed him on the progress we had made and he was pleased. He (minister) would also look at everything submitted to him, and where there are gray areas, we would sit down together and make adjustments. We hope that before the end of February, we can commence the first phase of disbursement. I am praying to God to enable me achieve that target. We would develop an action plan of the deliverables, timeline and key performance indicators, and release it as soon as we get the clearance of the minister. Once that is done, we would inform the stakeholders on when the disbursements would commence. This is going to be a game changer in the maritime industry. The operators, beneficiaries and other stakeholders have suffered enough. Since the administration of President Olusegun Obansanjo, I don’t think any sector has had as many setbacks as the maritime industry. Meanwhile, it had huge potential but we were unable to harness that potential. By the time we finish this process, it will be a game changer for the maritime industry.
Some people are of the opinion that the money that has accrued to the CVFF is more than what has actually been disbursed. Can you tell us how much the fund is worth?
Some people have just been making assumptions. I have only been in office as the DG of NIMASA for three years. I may not be in a position to argue, but public funds are not that easy to move illegally. Yes, there is a lot of fraud in the system as a result of tampering with some internal control mechanisms; but, to the best of my knowledge, the minister of transportation is aware of what is in the CVFF.
When I last met the minister on the issue about a month ago, he asked just two questions. He wanted to know the balance of the CVFF account.
Also, he said that the five PLIs approved should have allocated the resources, and sent alongside the bank statement. We have both naira and dollar accounts. The dollar account has a balance of about $353m. As regards the naira account, we intend to implement a single digit, and adopt international best practices by disbursing it in dollars. However, the interest rate must be commensurable with what obtains at the international market. The implication is that we would have to source for additional foreign exchange to convert the naira into dollars. But, this depends on what the minister asks us to do. The dollars is only 50 per cent of CVFF, while another 35 per cent must be provided by the primary lending institutes; and they all agreed to it. With that amount, nothing less than 30 new vessels can be bought. Each of those vessels would provide direct and indirect employment for a large number of people.
Some stakeholders have also said that the 15 per cent that ship owners have to provide is on the high side. What is your reaction to that?
One can hardly satisfy human beings. The act and guidelines have been in existence for about 20 years. The House of Representatives has passed the bill, and it is due to go to the Senate for concurrence. Where were those stakeholders when that progress was ongoing? They did not complain until now, when we are going to disburse.
In a video that went viral sometime ago, some Nigerian cadets could be seen lamenting that they were taken to the Philippines for studies by NIMASA, but were later abandoned. What has been done about their case?
Immediately we saw the video, we sent a delegate from NIMASA to that country. They then conducted some interviews there. What happened was that many of those young Nigerians, while there as students, got married and and started living large on the allowances we were paying them. Some even said they could not get employment opportunities in Nigeria commensurate to what they are getting over there. We sent them for four-year programmes, and they ended up doing a seven-year programme. Some of them also claimed that they came back to Nigeria but could not get employment. But, was that ground for them to remain in Philippines and force NIMASA to keep paying them.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I got complains that they (cadets) did not have money and the pandemic was affecting them. The organisation then recommended $2,000 to be paid to each cadet. I initially did not want to approve it but I empathised with them. But after they collected the money, they started fighting again. We also asked to sign undertaking that they would return to Nigeria upon completing their studies, or we would ask the Philippine authorities to deport them. That was how the issue died down and we did not hear anything about it again.
NIMASA has been able to achieve success in the area of suppressing piracy. What were the strategies employed to achieve this result?
The Nigerian Navy has been very helpful. We developed a project which enhanced the capability of the Navy to about 50 per cent; and provided equipment, such as helicopters. We have put many policies in place. But, for those who want to remain in that criminality, the Navy and other platforms we have are available to deal with them. For those who are willing to be good citizens, we sponsor them to study maritime-related courses. After they earn a degree, they would then be able to earn a living.
We also worked hard to develop a law, which the president signed in 2019. Since then, we have arrested a number of criminals over that particular offence, and many of them are in the prison serving their times. Three of them are even foreigners who refused to give information on piracy. Before now, if we took them to court, the court won’t be able to prosecute them, because there was no enabling law to try them under.
Also, we made a plan to build maritime academies and skills acquisition centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country. The skill acquisition centres are for those who cannot afford to go to the university.
Those are some of the things we put in place to bring an end to the issue of insecurity. And, since mid-2021 till now, there has been no form of attack.
Global West Vessel Specialist Limited claimed that its vessel which sank a few months ago was in the custody of NIMASA, and not Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. What is the true position of things?
When I came into office, I called one of my former bosses and I told him that I want to reconcile with Global West. The company was meant to procure vessels with their money, and operate those vessels in terms of providing maritime security. After 10 years, they would then give ownership of the vessels to NIMASA. That arrangement was what I met on the ground when I was appointed as the DG. However, there was no vessel for maritime patrol and enforcement; and that was why I said I wanted to reconcile with the company, so as to utilise the ships. My former boss then introduced me to a former director in the agency. It was that former director who told me that the company was ready to reconcile and settle all differences. But, he gave me two caveats.
First, he said since I was at the port, I would be the one to drive the operations.
Second, he said that those vessels had serviced a lot of sea fearers, in terms of a bunker and food. He stated that because of that, they might not have the liberty and peace to operate those ships. He added that I should talk to the EFCC, so they could give me directives on how to go about the issue of reconciliation. I then met with the then Chairman of the commission. When I told him what I wanted, he instantly called the officer in charge of the investigation for explanation. I sent our legal team and they met with Global West. After that, we both went to EFCC. But, at some point, the EFCC said that there was no way we could reconcile, because the company was claiming that we were supposed to pay them over $20. That case is still in court at the moment.
As a result of that, reconciliation was stalled. I gave the feedback to the former minister, and he said I should forget about the issue and concentrate on the ‘Deep Blue’ project. And, that was exactly what I did.
As far as I’m concerned, the pertinent issue is not who was in custody of the vessel, but the fact that the vessel was under investigation, with a pending court case.
It is the duty of NIMASA to ensure safety on the waters, and vessel should be allowed to sink. But, that does not mean that NIMASA would be at sea every day to ensure that ships don’t sink.
How do you balance work and family?
Family and work go hand in hand. If one’s work is affected by anything, one’s family would also be affected; and vice versa. It is very important to understand the role of the family in one’s career. If not, the quality of one’s output will certainly be affected. One cannot separate the family from work; and vice versa. It is when one works that one would be able to make a living. If one does not work, one won’t be able take care of one’s. And, if one’s family does not give one the required cooperation, one would not be able to put in the best at work.
You have been described as a simple man. What drives you in that regard?
I am not in a position to tell the public about my personality. I think it is left for the public to assess me. No matter what one does for the public, one cannot please everybody.
At times, one could even not be in the right frame of mind to behave in a certain way, and that could be offensive to the people one meets at that time.
However, what drives me is the type of discipline I was brought up with. I don’t underrate anyone. The person one sees as an ordinary person today, could be one’s boss tomorrow. One should also have it at the back of one’s mind that one will not remain in office forever. If one has that in mind, it would drive one to be simple. And, one would be able to treat people with dignity, respect and sincerity.
What were the qualities you saw in your wife that made you decide to spend the rest of your life with her?
I’m married for about 30 years now, and I cannot recall the exact qualities that drew me to her. However, I remember that just by mere looking at her, one could see qualities that one wanted in a woman, in her.
As a young man going into marriage, one should not fixated on certain things such as beauty. Rather, they should pay attention to things like character and family background.
Patience is a very important virtues to have if one wants to succeed. Before choosing a wife, one should look for someone that is very patient; and who thinks beyond what is before her in the present. One should select a woman that was well trained, and comes from a good family. That way, if anything happens, the person can be called to order.
Aside from being patient, my wife was also honest, focused, had a good background, was educated, and had the fear of God.
For a marriage of over 30 years, what are some of the things you have done to keep the fire of love burning in your home?
Human relationships have to be constantly renewed for them to last. One must always do the things that one’s spouse likes to make them happy. It does not necessarily have to be about spending money. One should just endeavour to always be honest; and that way, even when there is no money, the woman would stay with the person.
How do you unwind?
I cannot tell you specifically the things I do to unwind, because of the nature of my job. Many times, when I am supposed to unwind, I get irritated when I remember that there are one or two things I have not succeeded at.
The maritime industry of 30 years ago is not the same as of today. I question myself if it is the right time for me to relax when the industry is bleeding. But, on the other hand, that does not mean I should not live my life. At times, I play squash, long tennis; sometimes, I read. While reading, I learn a lot of things, and I develop my brain in the process. I also make sure I visit the gym, and use the sauna.
Women looking for ready-made men courting trouble — Zulahi
Jamoh’s wife, Zulahi, also talk about her marriage, upbringing, values, public service and other issues
Some women believe that when their husbands go into public service, it takes them away from the family. What was your initial reaction when your husband showed interest in the public sector?
A man cannot always sit down at home, doing nothing. He has to go out and bring things into the home to take care of his family.
From the onset, I had always known him as someone who loves Nigeria so much, and wants to do the best for the country. I know him to be a very hard-working man. He always has plans for the future, and he goes out of his way to get what he wants. He does a lot of research to know why some countries are advancing, but that is not happening in this part of the world. He likes reading and interacting with people too. Based on the factors I listed above, when he said he was joining the public sector, I knew he would give his best. He is dedicated, and hates failure. Once he starts working, one would have to tell him to slow down, because he is result-driven.
Another thing I like about him is that he does not play with interpersonal relationships.
These days, many women go for ready-made men. What were those things you saw that convinced you that your husband had a bright future, even if he was not this accomplished when you got married?
I was properly trained from childhood. If one goes for a ready-made man, one is practically buying trouble. It is better to start with a man from nothing, and when he becomes somebody, one would be proud to be part of his story. But, it is dangerous waiting for a ready-made man, when one does not know the source of the person’s wealth.
How have you been able to raise an upright family in the last three decades?
A woman has to make sacrifice for motherhood. I have eight daughters and a son. If I was selfish type, I would have been going to work every day. But, if I had done that, who would have taken care of my children?
Today, most of our children are graduates. They are doing well because because I sacrificed my time to stay at home and raise the family, while my mother goes out to make money for the upkeep of the home. It is very important for every mother to train their children. Let them know the difference between right and wrong. It is because of this failure right from the homes, that we have so many wrongdoing in society today. People want to leave their responsibilities to maids; but if anything later goes wrong with those children, you would be the one to blame, not the maid. Although I was involved in business, I had to stay at home to train the children. However, I usually attended conferences and seminars, so I could keep abreast of current trends.
If one trains one’s children well, one would have peace of mind by the time one is old. But, if one does not train one’s children and they get married; there will be problems.
I firmly believe that a woman is meant to make a home, while the man goes out to bring what the home needs.
What advice do you have for women as regards growing in career and business alongside their husbands?
White-collar jobs are not for everybody. I bagged a diploma in cooperative service at a time when it was newly introduced into the country and many people were not aware of it.
I also developed myself by attending a lot of programmes. I registered with the Corporative Society of Nigeria, and the Bakers Association of Nigeria.
If a woman sits at home and does not develop herself, she is practically killing society.
All my children have businesses of their own. Some of them followed my path, and they are now even greater than me today, because of the experience they gathered over the years.
I know a lot of market women, who are not educated, but who trained their children abroad. So, every woman should sit down and plan her home; right from the day she enters as a wife. Marriage is not about money but about a building partnership, and leaving a legacy for one’s children. These days, there are many failed marriages because there was no proper upbringing, and people are not ready to make sacrifices anymore.
Similarly, what advice can you give women out there as regards giving their husbands the necessary support, so they can function properly in their careers?
One has to be patient in whatever situation one finds oneself. One has to sit down and find out how one can correct certain things. Nobody is perfect.
Sometimes, misinformation destroys homes. When women bring their marital problems to me, I usually tell them to be more patient, and identify their weak point, and that of their husbands. For instance, if some men face tension in the office, and they get to the house and there is no peace, there is going to be a problem.
The Holy Books clearly state that the man is the head of the house; and women have to accord them the proper respect.
For older women like me, there were certain values we were brought up with that are still helping us now. As a Fulani woman, I cannot be talking at the same time with my husband; whether I am right or wrong. That is against my culture as a Fulani woman. But, the problem is that people want to follow the white man’s idea of saying ‘what a man can do, a woman can do better’.
Some men seem to find it hard understanding their wives. What can such men do to overcome that challenge?
About 70 per cent of a man’s brain is stressed out outside (at work); so, we women, have to look beyond what we see. A man may be in trouble, and he will prefer to die in silence because he does not want to hurt you.
The truth is that many men don’t know what women really want. So, a woman has to study her husband psychologically and relate with him in the way that best suits him.
How do you like to dress?
I was brought up in Lagos, so I love dressing iro and buba (skirt and blouse).
How do you relax?
I am not a party freak. I just like to have good times with good friends. I read a lot and I manage some businesses. That gives me the opportunity to exercise. I resume office by 9am, and close by 6:30pm; so I burn all my energy at work. I am a disciplined one, who does not believe in repeating mistakes. I always like putting things in order. I read a lot, cook and bake too.
