Amid pomp, pageantry, Hassan Bello bows out of Shippers’ Council
By Eniola Idris
After about eight years of meritorious service, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello is bowing out of office amid encomiums from stakeholders.
Bello, a proficient lawyer, joined the Council in 1998 as Deputy Director and Head of Legal Services. He later became a Director in the same department, a position he held for many years before he became the Executive Secretary. Prior to joining the Council, Bello worked with the Sokoto State Ministry of Justice and the state’s Investment Company Limited, where he rose to become Acting Managing Director & CEO.
Speaking at the send forth and SERVICOM/long service award ceremony organized in his honour by the management of NSC in Lagos Friday, stakeholders took turn to pour encomium on the personality of the Kebbi-born legal luminary.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, described him as a good gentle man who is humble and dedicated to duty.
Chairman, NSC Governing Board, Bashir Sheriff Machim, rolled out his outstanding achievements such as the completion of Kaduna Inland Dry Port; Dala Dry Port and construction of Ibadan Dry Port; creation of zonal offices for NSC; and establishment of Truck Transit Parks in strategic locations across the country, among others.
The chairman, who was represented by Otunba Seyi Odutona, appreciated Bello for earning NSC the port economic regulator status.
Representative of NACCIMA on NSC Board, Mrs Margret Orakwusi, described Bello’s tenure as “the eight shortest years in NSC”, saying, “the eight years is better described as eight minutes”.
She said Bello is humble, honest with integrity, “He called us all out even when everyone was afraid of COVID-19. He has done very well. We love him, and the entire management of NSC will miss him,”
Former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bayo Sarumi, described Bello as “right peg in the right hole”.
He said: “I call him Mr. Intermodalism. He was able to bring the shipping service and the providers of shipping service to a level playing ground.
Former President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said Hassan Bello was successful in his pursuit due to his determination for maritime sector development, despite his career in law.
He said: “Bello is successful. He never had a scandal during his period at the helms of affairs of NSC”.
SERVICOM Nodal Coordinator, Mrs Nnena Akajemeli, said: “We are proud and happy to associate with the great milestone achieved during his tenure in office.
She appreciated Bello’s selfless service to humanity.
Bello appreciated everyone who has supported him to succeed, and suggested better ways for some of the maritime agencies to succeed. He called for genuine collaboration in a bid to have a progressive port system.
He solicited for digitisation of Nigerian ports, while also calling for trade facilitation.
