Eminent maritime personalities were singled out as Distinguished Global Achievers including; the President-General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adeyanju; former Continent President, African Women in Maritime (WIMAFRICA) and Principal Counsel, Jean-Chiazor & Partners, Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN); President, WIMA Nigeria and Chief Executive, Ocean Deep Services Limited, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, among others for special recognition.
These awards were reeled out yesterday at the 4th Anniversary Summit and Distinguished Global Citizen Achievers Award ceremony organized by publishers of Global Searchlight Magazine, at Lagos Airport hotel, Ikeja.
Other recipients were: former President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu; Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Boniface Aniebonam; acting President, ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto; Mrs. FaithHope Allosius, Deputy National President, Seaports, NAGAFF, Chief Chukwuma Afam; Publisher of TheJournal Magazine; Mr. Ismail Aniemu.
Speaking at the event, the Guest Speaker, Ambassador Onwodi Onichabor on the topic: “Elections and Global Peace: A Challenge,” observed that the United Nations and other sub-international groups have emphasized the genuine concerns about democratic processes in Africa, especially during elections.
Onwodi described elections as a necessity in modern civilization because it has become the safest and most transparent valve to attaining political positions of power.
His words: “It is time to rise up to resist leaders with entitlement mentality, and emulate the edifying conduct of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who said “my ambition is not worth spilling the blood of any Nigerian”. Until and unless we have political characters like him on the stage, and until Nigeria decide to give every section of this country a chance to also provide leadership at the centre, the solutions we seek to end global conflicts may continue to elude us”
Meanwhile, he lamented that the Nigerian democratic system and leadership has collapsed in recent years over sentiments bordering on monetary benefits, religion and ethnic bias.
Also speaking at the event, the President of WIMA Nigeria, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy expressed worry at the high rate of emigration from Nigeria, adding that citizens should rather be concerned about playing their roles in ensuring the country rises again.
Macfoy equally pointed out that the Convener of the awards, Lola Adesekan is a member of WIMA-Nigeria and also her mentee, stressing that the group had graced the occasion to show solidarity and support.
Earlier, the Convener and Editor-in-Chief of Global Searchlight Magazine, Lola Adesekan stated that the awardees are respected Nigerians from various fields and divides, carefully selected based on their contributions to humanity and national economic growth in their various endeavors.
“I want to specially thank you all for giving us the Searchlight Media family your shoulders to lean on and for supporting us, as well as being part of our success story today. The calibre of personalities in this 4th Edition Awardees cut across all spheres of human endeavours, politics, business, maritime, philanthropy, oil & gas, clearing and forwarding, humanities among others.”
“Since inception of this event in 2018, we have always honoured outstanding Nigerians who are standing tall in their various fields of endeavors as role models to others. Once again, I want to congratulate you all and promise not to lower the standards as we continue to search and recognize great leaders and achievers in the nation,” she said.
The other awardees were; Mrs. Benita Afolabi; Comrade Goddy Sewa-Soleji; HRH Dr. Olusegun Aderemi; Mrs. Onome Joy Monije; Mr. Akinsanya; Mr. Uzoma C. Nwagwu; Dr. Patrick Ocheme Michael; Mr. Gerald A. Anonobo; Mr. Mohammed Mojeed; Comrade Michael Adetumi; Zekeri Usman; and Dr. Ulom Izuchukwu.