Asu Beks @70: Shittu, Adeniyi, Adeyanju Identify Valuable Lessons Amid Felicitations

Turning 70 is a milestone in itself, but as Elder Asu Beks, publisher of Shipping World magazine and Chief Executive of Maritime Media Limited, marks his platinum birthday – he has been given the toga of a survivalist as a maritime media professional.

According to Statista, the life expectancy at birth in Nigeria was about 61.79 years for 2023. More specifically, this figure equaled 60 years for males and 64 years for females. Life expectancy at birth in Nigeria is among the lowest in Africa as well as in the world.

Asu Beks, regarded as the Godfather of maritime journalism in Nigeria, becomes a septuagenarian today, and he celebrates in good health while continuing his youthful exuberance with passion, curiosity, fearlessness, and a willingness to push boundaries in journalism.

Defiling Nigeria’s life expectancy is one feat, but having friends who have shared over three decades experience is equally an astonishing achievement. Asu’s friends (mostly maritime stakeholders) have underlined some valuable lessons from the attributes and lifestyle of the cerebral maritime journalist.

Asu Beks has a childlike disposition to life – Prince Shittu

In his birthday wishes for Asu, a former President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, commended Asu’s childlike disposition to life – a quality that sees him speedily mend fences after disagreements in his journalism career.

Shittu’s words: “I understand that Asu Beks means many things to different people; for some of us, he remains a jolly good fellow. His uncommon facility to fight and then makes up easily with the one he had fought with the next day after had always fascinated me, because it speaks about a childlike nature that l think is missing in many of us. His unassuming characteristics is one l think is not easily faked, so l believe he possesses that rare quality of childlikeness clothed in the purity of unsoiled innocence.”

“For people like us that have had the privilege and the mercies of God’s to clink glasses with friends, family members, well wishers and associates who gather to celebrate us at 70, today is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness. Perhaps l should say that for Asu Beks, the celebration has been on since November 2023, albeit informal.”

While celebrating the indefatigable doyen of maritime media and one-man squad industry advocate for good governance, Prince Shittu also commented on Asu’s popular prefixes ‘Godfather’ and ‘Elder’.

“Of the two prefixes to his name, l have been used to the Godfather, corrupted as ‘god fada’ for a long time already; while l am still struggling to situate his other title of ‘elder’; because l think that former clearly overshadows the later.”

“His claim to being the maritime media god fada is almost authoritative, since his colleagues have concurred; and that settles the matter. And without controversy, as for the revered title of an Elder, l guess that having clocked 60 years back, it is of no avail to begrudge him that too, having merited it by grace and entitlement; he has joined the elders club,” the veteran freight forwarder said.

Shittu, who has known Elder Asu Beks for close to three decades, also describes Asu as a diligent, hard working media professional and likeable personality.

“Of course, he has also courted trouble as those opposed to his unique life style and perceived foibles. But perhaps, Asu Beks was born a survivalist. For the open minded, it’s difficult to want to shut him out for reasons of his occupational quarrels and fights; and indeed his other associated fights, as it were. Today, at 70, l believe he has paid his dues in helping to reshape this industry through his immense contributions vide constructive and developmental journalism,” Shittu opined.

Asu Beks has remarkable milestones in journalism – Customs CG Adeniyi

On his part, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi MFR, thanked Asu Beks for playing a crucial role in his success story while serving as the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS.

The Customs CG in a letter addressed to the celebrant read, “As we celebrate this landmark, it is with all humility that I admit your immense contributions to my success story during my tenure as the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Your role in using the might of your pen to contribute to the development of NCS and the nation at large is unquantifiable.”

“We note with admiration that you have traversed a remarkable journey filled with academic achievements, professional milestones, and unwavering dedication to your craft.”

“Your foray into unionism and activism began at the College of Education, where you got elected as Public Relations Officer of the Students Union Government. This early involvement set the stage for a career that is defined by a commitment to truth, justice, and the pursuit of excellence.”

“Your professional odyssey led you through various roles, starting with the Bendel State Ministry of Information and later the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation. At the Nigerian Tide, you served as the Lagos City Editor and Northern Area Editor in Kaduna. Your tenure in Kaduna coincided with the inception of the Democrat Newspaper, where you played a pivotal role as Rivers State Bureau Chief.”

“Throughout your career, you have continued to demonstrate journalistic prowess, eventually joining The Guardian Newspaper as Bureau Chief in Port Harcourt. Your impactful reporting earned you the prestigious “Best Reporter Award” in December 1989, recognizing your role in uncovering an attempt to dump toxic beef at the Tin Can Island Port by an Italian vessel.”

The Customs CG, also noted that Asu Beks was founding President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), the League of Maritime Editors (LOME), and the Board of Trustees Chairman of the Association of Maritime Journalists (AMJON); describing the journalist’s dedication to the maritime sector further evidenced as the CEO at Maritime Media Limited and Publisher of Shipping World Magazine.

Asu Beks is a great asset to Maritime Workers Union – Comrade Adeyanju

While conveying the goodwill of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju described Asu Beks as a great asset to the Union.

“I bring you fraternal greetings as you clock the age of 70. Sir, you have been a very wonderful person as an individual and a great asset to the Maritime Workers Union and other sister stakeholders. Your professionalism in imparting the industry stands you out among others, hence you can be ascribed as a Maritime Heritage. I am proud of you, Comrade Elder Asu Beks.”

“As a Union, we profoundly celebrate you once again. Thank you for your tenacity and boldness with your publication, Shipping World Magazine, which has become a trailblazer in the industry. May your tireless and selfless efforts in the sector continue to wax stronger and as you celebrate today, the Almighty God will continue to grant stronger as you celebrate today,” Adeyanju said.

The Union leader, who also doubles as the Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), prayed that God will continuously grants the celebrant good health and sound mind enmeshed in longevity.