The group chairman/chief executive officer of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited and Welled Healthcare Limited, Dr Louis Ekere, has been inducted as the Vice President of the New Executive Council (NEC) of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN).
On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria inaugurated New Executive Council members into its fold. The event, which was held at the Oriental Hotel, in Lekki, Lagos, attracted the crème la creme of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Ekere’s induction has been widely acknowledged by stakeholders in the sector, as an honour well deserved as pundits highlighted the accomplishments of the resourceful entrepreneur, among others, as testaments of his suitability for the role of SOAN’s First Vice President.
There is no gainsaying Ekere is a true visionary, changemaker, and revolutionary. He has demonstrated a bold entrepreneurial spirit that continues to leave an indelible mark on the Nigerian and African shipping circuit.
But perhaps his most impactful venture yet would be his stewardship as SOAN’s Vice President. Ekere is expected to leverage his business acumen to disrupt the status quo and entrench delicate balance in one breadth.
Dr. Louis Ekere is an individual with high level of professionalism, an innovative and proactive approach to solving problems in the industry and the nation at large.
Ekere’s story has elements of what we think of as a typically Nigerian story — of passion, ingenuity, and, ultimately, honest industry. In a nutshell, Ekere’s story turns out to be a universal narrative — of striving for excellence, of the power of initiative to circumvent the status quo and of an individual’s potential to create new opportunities that benefit not only himself and his shipping community but the wider world.
He is particularly notable for his ability to resolve conflict. This comes from years of practice and an understanding that the best way to find solutions and common ground is to build personal and group relationships based on trust.
No one in the maritime sector understands this better than Ekere. His list of accomplishments is impressive, but most impressive is his ability to build bridges, bring people together and get things done. Even though where parties disagree on many issues, he creates opportunities for future collaboration.
A seasoned professional, Ekere is a recipient of the National Recognition and Achievement Award for the Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), which was conferred on him by the Federal Government of Nigeria for service to humanity and important contributions to the maritime, oil and gas, and healthcare industries in Nigeria.
He is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred by former U.S President Donald Trump in 2019 and was also conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Trinity International University of Ambassadors Georgia, United States. He is a member of the Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD).
Dr. Ekere (OON) is a man of unique knowledge and a graduate of several courses from prestigious schools which include; the OPM 52 course from Harvard Business School in Boston Massachusetts, the Executive Management Programme from the IESE Business School in Barcelona Spain, the Chief Executive Programme (CEP) from the Lagos Business School (LBS), a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Lagos State University (LASU), as well as a bachelor’s degree in Electrical-Electronics from Edo State University, Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria.
Ekere is also involved in several philanthropic activities, which include free medical testing on World Hepatitis Day, and free medical outreach at Ajah, Lagos, and environs, where residents were screened for chronic lifestyle diseases including diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
As an entrepreneur, Ekere has employed over 500 Nigerians in the last 10 years and sponsored indigenes of host communities where Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited operates amongst several other activities.
Until his investiture as SOAN’s First Vice President, Ekere served as the Chairman of the Ethics and Privileges Committee of the organisation.
By his new designation, he is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear in revolutionising SOAN’s operations and the shipping business in general.
Other recent inductees into SOAN’s executive council include Sonny Eja (President), Gbolahan Shaba (2nd Vice President), Babalola Adefarati (Financial Secretary/Treasurer), Iroghama Ogbeifun (Chairman, Technical Committee), Bem Ibrahim Garba (Chairman, Training & Capacity Building), Emmanuel Okene (Chairman, Finance & Membership Committee) and Bassey Adie (Chairman, Ethics & Privileges Committee).
Among other things, the new exco is expected to promote the interest of members and provide a forum for dialogue for Nigerian shipowners. The exco is expected to facilitate the participation of shipowners in global fora on shipping matters, through effective representation at crucial meetings.
They are expected to cultivate and maintain good relations with the government and maritime authorities by sharing expertise in formulating policies and regulations on national shipping and maritime activities.
The new team of administrators is also expected to vigorously facilitate world-class training and welfare packages for Nigerian seafarers on board Nigerian-owned vessels, to mention a few.
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