NPA Onne celebrates retirees in historic gesture, commends MD Dantsoho’s welfare drive
Maureen Aguta
The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Onne Port Complex in Rivers State, has honoured its retirees in a landmark event that underscored a renewed commitment to staff welfare and institutional continuity, while drawing commendation for the Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Onne Port Complex, blended celebration with reflection, as former employees reunited with serving staff in an atmosphere marked by camaraderie, appreciation and a strong sense of belonging.
Speaking on the sidelines, the Port Manager, Mr. Abdulrahmon Hussain, said the initiative was designed to recognise the invaluable contributions of retired personnel who laid the foundation for the port’s current operations.
“What we are doing today is to appreciate our retirees. The structure we stand on today was built by them,” Hussain said. “During their years of service, they mentored younger staff and contributed immensely to the growth and development of this port.”
He described Onne as a “family port,” stressing that retirement does not sever ties with the institution. “We want to sincerely show them that they remain part of this family, even in retirement,” he added.
Hussain also linked the initiative to the welfare-oriented leadership of the NPA Managing Director, noting that the healthy and vibrant appearance of the retirees reflected sustained attention to staff wellbeing.
“They look agile, strong and happy. We thank God for their health, and it also speaks to the importance our Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and his management team place on staff welfare, even after retirement,” he said.
He disclosed that the event, the first of its kind at the port, would become a regular feature, with plans to expand its scope in subsequent editions.
Beyond the provision of multivitamins and medical support, Hussain emphasised that the core objective was to demonstrate genuine care and appreciation.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Officer of the Onne Port Complex, Dr. Bashir Kangiwa, described the programme as a pioneering initiative and lauded the port manager for driving it.
Kangiwa highlighted that NPA policy guarantees retirees and their spouses continued access to the Authority’s medical facilities, including referrals to external hospitals when necessary.
“When I was tasked with coordinating this project, I embraced it wholeheartedly. It is gratifying to see it come to fruition,” he said.
Some of the retirees, in their responses, expressed gratitude to the management for the recognition, describing the gesture as both thoughtful and motivating.
A former Chairman of the NPA Senior Staff Association, Comrade Ndudim Amos Nwaji, commended the management for what he termed a demonstration of goodwill towards those who dedicated decades of service to the nation.
“This is a commendable gesture. Many of us spent over 35 years in service, and this recognition means a lot,” he said, urging leaders across the country to emulate such initiatives in caring for senior citizens.
Similarly, a former Acting Chief Electrical Engineer, Engr. Okeke Uzoechi (rtd), described the event as historic and reaffirmed the “family port” identity of Onne.
He encouraged the management to sustain and deepen the initiative, while advising retirees to view retirement as an opportunity for reinvention rather than withdrawal from active life.
“Retirement is not a condemnation. It is a chance to reflect and explore other areas of human endeavour in order to remain relevant,” he said.
The event not only celebrated years of dedicated service but also reinforced the NPA’s evolving culture of inclusiveness—one that recognises past contributions while fostering enduring institutional bonds.