NPA MD redeploys general managers, appoints new spokesperson

In a move geared towards repositioning Nigeria’s foremost trade facilitation platform for greater efficiency and renewed contribution to the national economy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced new appointments and redeployments of General Managers to support the Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho-led Management in actualising its performance deliverables.

Speaking after the announcement at the weekend, Dantsoho who comes to the job with decades of sector-specific experience and having commenced his career at the NPA as a Youth Corp member said, “These appointments represent our deliberate strategy to deploy the wealth of experience of the appointees to national advantage”.

The appointments which take immediate effect, reorganized some Divisions to align with the direction of the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy while also retaining Dr (Mrs) Chinwe Nwokolo, Pharmacist Hadiza Sani, and Mr. Babatunde Gbotolorun as General Managers Medical, Abuja Liasion and ICT Divisions respectively.

The new appointees named to head various Divisions include Captain Jerome Angyunwe, Engr. Richard Unde, Engr. Mukhtar Isa, Mr. Anthony Edosomswan, Mr. Dapo Adekunle, Mr. Victor Gofwan, Mr. Rabiu Dambatta, Mrs Priscilla Maduka, Mrs Sarah Ballah, Mrs Zainab Dantiye, Engr. Anas Suleiman, Mr. Adeayo Oni, Mr. Abdulkadir Gusau Mr. RAB Salau, Barr. Nurrudeen Abdulkadir, Mr. Seyi Iyawe, Barr. Ethel Uduehi, Barr. Nansel Zhimwan, Barr.

Ahmad Wanka, Mr. Fatai Oladapo, Mr. Ibrahim Lukman, Engr. Abdul Isah, Mr. Charles Okaga and Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara who assumes the role of the Authority’s spokesperson as General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications Division.

Ikechukwu Chika Onyemekara, the newly appointed spokesperson for the NPA, brings a wealth of experience in marketing and public relations. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the same field.

Onyemekara’s career with the NPA began in 1992 as a marketing officer, where he gained significant expertise in the maritime industry. His interpersonal skills and ability to interact with key stakeholders soon saw him transition into strategic roles within the commercial department.

Recognising his people management abilities, NPA management redeployed Onyemekara to the Public Affairs Division, where his strong performance and results-driven approach led to his appointment as Technical Assistant Protocol. In this role, he coordinated media relations, diplomatic engagements, and government relations for several Managing Directors of the NPA, further solidifying his reputation as an invaluable asset to the organisation.

Onyemekara has also represented the NPA at international forums, including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), where he participated in working groups such as the Editorial and Technical (E&T) Group for the IMSBC Code. He has also attended numerous national and international capacity-building workshops sponsored by the Authority.

An avid reader and traveler, Onyemekara is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and actively participates in alumni activities for the Federal Government College Kaduna. Prior to his current appointment, he served as Assistant General Manager, Corporate & Strategic Communications & Technical Assistant Protocol to the Managing Director.