Maritime operators hail debut of ‘ABC of Shipping’

Among those who hailed the book and its author, Charles Odeyovwi Okorefe, is the Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin, who observed that the book has something unique about the industry.

“It has presented the fundamental and basic instruments to understanding the intricacies and procedures that are critical factors to shipping and port operations in Nigeria and beyond,” he stated.

While commending the scope and depth of the publication slated for launch at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, the NPCC boss added that “students, researchers and lecturers will also find the book useful and a formidable reference material and guide.”

For Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the book is an interesting contribution to the development of the nation’s maritime industry, a publication he said would endure the test of time in trade, commerce, and ports operation.

He stated further, “Trade and commerce are synonymous with Customs and port operation. In the wake of globalisation and explosion in communication, management of trade has a direct correlation with a nation’s political, economic and environmental security.

“For these reasons, this book will continue to be relevant for students, current and intending port users, and shipping practitioners so long as world trade remains dynamic. The author, Mr. Charles Okorefe deserves commendation for this phenomenal piece of academic work.”

On his part, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, of the Geography and Regional Planning and Dean, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Olabisi Onabanjo University, “This is a well written and thought-out book that should fulfil the academic and inquisitive need of students, researchers and shipping practitioners for the informed mind seeking knowledge, understanding and information about general shipping and ports operation in Nigeria.”

Badejo, who is a former Commissioner of Transportation in Lagos State, said: “The book is rich, detailed, organised and well-structured in a more reader-friendly manner. It is more of a compendium of shipping and ports operation in Nigeria.”

Similarly, Akinjide Oshuntokun, Professor Emeritus of History and International Relations, observed: “The book is written in simple and very lucid language that commands easy comprehension by even non practitioners in the maritime industry.“It unravels the potential huge offerings of shipping, port operations and the maritime sector in general to the overall robustness of the Nigerian economy,” the former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany added.