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Some of the most illustrious names in Nigeria’s maritime, oil and gas, and traditional leadership circles were honoured on Saturday as the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) unveiled a new executive team led by Capt. Olajide Olugunwa as President.
The honours were conferred at the association’s Annual General Meeting and Recognition Award, held at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, under the theme “Partnering with Stakeholders in Charting the Course for Nigerian Maritime Practitioners: Leadership, Professionalism, and Sustainable Growth.”
Among those recognised were; Aare Adebayo Babatunde Sarumi, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Chairman of Mission to Seafarers (MTS) Lagos, honoured as Life Patron. Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman of STARZS Investment Company Limited, was named Honorary Fellow and Life Patron. Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, a former Minister of Interior and Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas, was conferred with Fellowship. HRM Dr. (Capt.) Adejimi Adu, the Ogoga of Ikere and Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Obas, was also honoured as Fellow.
Capt. (Prof.) Abiodun Sule, Executive Director, Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), was made an Honorary Fellow, while Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group was named Honorary Fellow and Patron. Fellowships also went to Capt. Philip Olukotun, Capt. Olugbemiga Abidoye, Capt. Ayodele Arogbonlo, Capt. Samuel Runsewe, Capt. Francis Kponu and Capt. Adewale Ishola.
The association also paid tribute to four departed members with posthumous Fellowships: Capt. Solomon Omotesho, Capt. Adamu Biu, Capt. K. O. Alaba and Senator (Capt.) Cosmas Niagwan.
On the corporate side, Integrated Oil and Gas and STARZS Investment Limited were admitted as Corporate Members, and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) was also recognised.
Joining Olugunwa on the new executive are Capt. (Dr) Michael Ogbekile Ogochukwu Ifesemen as Senior Vice President and Capt. Ambrose Ojuyenum as Vice President. Dr (Capt) Rasheed Onakoya is General Secretary, and Capt. Steve Olabode Akintade is Assistant Secretary. Capt. Olarewaju Begusa is Financial Secretary, Capt. Benedict Ofili is Treasurer, Capt. Joseph Adamu-Alamba is Publicity Secretary, and Capt. (Barr.) Ladi Olarewaju is Legal Adviser.
In his inaugural address, Olugunwa told members he accepted the mandate “not as a personal honour alone, but as a call to service.”
He said internal cohesion would be the foundational priority of his administration, promising a renewal programme to address perceived divides and rebuild trust. Inclusive, cross-functional committees, he said, would draw on the wisdom of veterans, the resourcefulness of mid-career mariners and the technological agility of younger members.
The new President also named the completion and furnishing of the NAMM Permanent Secretariat as a defining mid-term goal.
He described it as more than bricks and mortar: a centre for technical research, professional engagement, policy support and mentoring that would stand as a symbol of pride for future generations of Nigerian Master Mariners.
On seafarer welfare, Olugunwa said his administration would work with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, to ease delays in acquiring sea time, securing globally competitive Certificates of Competency and progressing in their careers.
He equally added that mentoring within NAMM would be strengthened so younger mariners could prepare for leadership at sea and ashore.
Looking outward, he said NAMM would position itself as a credible technical advisory partner to the Federal Government, particularly the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with interventions that are “practical, evidence-based and rooted in the operational experience” of its members.
He remarked that the association will also advocate effective implementation of the Cabotage Act and work with the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and other stakeholders on wreck removal, maritime security and safer navigation.
“Together, we will steer NAMM towards unity, legacy and global standards,” Olugunwa said.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, reeled out some of the accomplishments of the Ministry even as he assured commitment to developing indigenous shipping and human capital development.
Oyetola, who was represented by Dr. Bolaji Thompson, described the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, zero piracy in over 4 years, new NPERA Act and impending overhaul of port infrastructure at Lagos ports and Eastern ports; as a demonstration of the federal government’s efforts to revamp the sector.
The event was graced by the Secretary General of African Shipowners Association (ASA), Funmi Folorunso; President, Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES); Engr. Isreal Obadan; immediate-past President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju; President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero; Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Mr. Bolaji Sunmola; among others.
