Maritime industry eulogises late Akinsoji

TRIBUTES have been pouring in from the maritime industry in honour of the late Nigerian representative on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and former Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State, Olu Akinsoji.

The maritime industry practitioners in Apapa, Lagos, on Tuesday, gathered to celebrate the life and times of the late Akinsoji, an industry icon and a former Government Registrar of Ships, who passed away on January 16, 2024 at the age of 79.

Industry stakeholders described the late Akinsoji as a patriotic Nigerian who dedicated his lifetime to the growth of the maritime industry. The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, expressed deep sense of sadness on the death of Akinsoji, describing him as a patriotic Nigerian, consummate professional and a maritime expert who was committed to the growth and development of the nation’s maritime industry.

He emphasised Akinsoji’s role as a former Alternate Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation (APR-IMO) and his significant contributions as the former Rector of MAN.

Jamoh said the late Akinsoji dedicated almost his entire life to contributing towards a virile maritime industry for Nigeria. Former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, recounted Akinsoji’s prowess from serving as a ship service to reaching the pinnacle of the Government Inspector of Shipping, regulating technical standards on ships.

The President of Association of Marine Engineers (AMES), Israel Obadan, said Akinsoji was employed as an engineer cadet by the now defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), under the peautifully designed and visionary federal government sponsorship programme, that produced excellent maritime professionals.

He said Akinsoji fought a good fight for the industry, saying, “We salute his tenacity, despite the humiliations sometimes encountered”

Also, a former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, recounted Akinsoji’s prowess from serving as a ship service to reaching the pinnacle of the Government Inspector of Shipping; regulating technical standards on ships.

Before his death, Akinsoji was a foremost Marine Engineer who worked with the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) where he rose to the height of Marine Engineer

He later became an engineer superintendent under the Federal Ministry of Transportation as it was then called where he later rose to become Director of Marine

He was appointed as the Government Inspector of Shipping (GIS) under the same ministry and later as Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London where he heralded the admission of Nigeria into the IMO White List for the first time.