By Bon Peters
PORT HARRCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Onne Port Complex in Rivers State, has honoured its retired workforce in a landmark appreciation event, signalling a renewed institutional focus on post-service welfare and continuity of engagement with former staff.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Onne Port Complex, drew commendations for the Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, whose leadership was credited for sustaining a culture of care that extends beyond active service.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines, the Port Manager, Onne Port Complex, Mr. Abdulrahmon Hussain, said the initiative was designed to recognise the enduring contributions of retirees who played foundational roles in the growth of the port.
“What the Nigerian Ports Authority, Onne Port Complex management is doing today is to appreciate our retirees,” he said.
He added that the current workforce continues to build on structures laid by the retirees, many of whom mentored younger staff and contributed significantly to operational development.
“While in service, they mentored our junior staff and contributed immensely to the growth and development of the port. We believe that the foundation we are standing on today was laid by them,” Hussain stated.
Describing the Onne Port as a “family port,” he said the event was also intended to reinforce a sense of belonging among retirees, assuring them that their contributions remain valued even after service.
Hussain further noted that the physical wellbeing of the retirees reflected the importance placed on staff welfare by the NPA leadership, expressing appreciation for their continued health and vitality.
He disclosed that the event, the first of its kind at the port, would be institutionalised and expanded in subsequent years, with management committed to deepening support for retired personnel.
Beyond the symbolic gesture, he said practical support was also extended to the retirees, including the provision of multivitamins and medical supplies, alongside access to continued care.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Officer of the Onne Port Complex, Dr. Bashir Kangiwa, described the initiative as unprecedented, noting that it aligns with the Authority’s policy of extending medical services to retirees and their spouses.
He explained that retirees retain access to NPA medical facilities and can be referred to external hospitals where necessary, underscoring the Authority’s commitment to comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Responding, retirees expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as a rare demonstration of institutional goodwill.
Former Chairman of the NPA Senior Staff Association, Comrade Ndudim Amos Nwaji, said the recognition was a fitting tribute to decades of service, noting that many retirees dedicated over 35 years to national development.
He urged leaders across the country to adopt similar welfare-oriented approaches, particularly towards senior citizens, while also commending the cordial relationship between the port management and its retirees.
In a similar vein, a former Acting Chief Electrical Engineer, Engr. Okeke Uzoechi (retd.), described the event as historic, saying it reinforced the identity of Onne Port as a close-knit professional community.
He encouraged management to sustain and strengthen the initiative, while advising retirees to view retirement as an opportunity for reinvention and continued relevance in other areas of endeavour.
