MaritimeNewsSpecial Report

Shipping, Energy Bigwigs Grace Akabogu’s 50th Birthday Dinner

  • As celebrant unveils 2 shipping books, rewards 3 young writers

Eminent personalities from maritime and energy sectors including; the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko; Chairman of Rain Oil Limited, Mr. Gabriel Ogbechie; President of Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Funke Agbor SAN; among others graced the 50th birthday ceremony of Dr. Emeka Akabogu on Friday.

Other dignitaries were; the President, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Alhaji Aminu Umar; Chairman, Starz Group, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun; Principal Partner, Jean-Chiazor and Partners, Jean Chiazor Anishere SAN; President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Emenike Nwokeoji; President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mr. Sonny Eja; Former Managing Director of Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Dr. Kofi Mbiah; and more.

Two comprehensive books on shipping and port laws in Nigeria were unveiled at the birthday dinner by the veteran commercial lawyer, Dr. Akabogu, as part of activities to celebrate his golden jubilee.

Industry veterans described the books: ‘Ship Arrest in Nigeria’ and ‘Nigerian Ports Law’ as assets to the maritime sector, stressing that they are the most comprehensive books on law, shipping practices and procedures for ship and cargo arrest in the country.

As part of efforts to contribute to youth development, Akabogu also rewarded three young students for their literary exploits via the Dr. Emeka Akabogu Maritime Writing Challenge (DREAM WRICH) themed: “Resurrecting the Dry Bones of the Law”.

The first position was clinched by Anakor Vera Chukwunolu who bagged N250,000 prize; while Abakare Elvina Onome and Obimuonso Grace Chidalu collected N150,000 and N100,000 as second and third respectively.

Shipping, Energy Bigwigs Pour Encomiums At Akabogu's 50th Birthday Dinner
The first prize winner at the Dr. Emeka Akabogu Maritime Writing Challenge (DREAM WRICH) Anakor Vera Chukwunolu (2nd from left) receiving her N250,000 from Dr. Emeka Akabogu (2nd from right) on Friday.

Impressed by massive impact and development in Nigeria’s maritime sector driven by Dr. Akabogu, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, encouraged more Nigerians to step up and be impactful and inspiring like Akabogu.

Jamoh’s words: “If we have about 5 personalities like Akabogu with huge impact on the industry, we should go to sleep because they will address most of the problems in the sector. As a regulator, we are concerned with industry players understanding the laws and regulations, but people like Dr. Akabogu help simplify our activities.”

The NIMASA boss recalled that there was a point when the agency and the entire shipping industry was having problems with the arrest and detention of vessels before Akabogu led a team to the Federal High Court to brainstorm on how to develop guidelines to address the challenge.

Speaking on the books launched by Akabogu at the event, the NIMASA Director General described the books as assets to maritime stakeholders and potential investors.

Shipping, Energy Bigwigs Pour Encomiums At Akabogu's 50th Birthday Dinner
L-R: President, Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Funke Agbor SAN; a former Managing Director, Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Dr. Kofi Mbiah; a chieftain of Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Capt. Taiwo Akinpelumi and the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh OFR; during the 50th birthday dinner and book presentation of Dr. Emeka Akabogu on Friday.

On his part, the President of NCS, Aminu Umar thanked Emeka Akabogu specially for creating numerous opportunities for rich and robust discourse on pertinent issues in maritime and energy sectors.

“Honestly, the industry has benefited so much from these platforms created by Akabogu for matters relating to shipping. In the shipping sector, it is a privilege to have someone like Akabogu because although there are numerous challenges in the sector, the industry is also an interesting and rewarding one.”

“I also congratulate him for launching two books that are relevant to the industry with emphasis on ship arrests and port operations,” Umar said.

Meanwhile, the President of ANLCA, Chief Emenike Nwokeoji, encouraged young Nigerians to see Akabogu as a role model worth emulating.

“I will advise young people to learn a lot from you. 50 years isn’t 50 days. At ANLCA, we are excited to be here to celebrate with Dr. Akabogu and we believe that with these books the next generation is better equipped with vital information about the industry.”

“We also thank the celebrant for giving opportunities to young people via writing about shipping and the debate competition on port efficiency and port optimization. We thank God for using you to make tremendous impact in the shipping industry and ANLCA can assure you that it will continue to support you,” Emenike remarked.

Also speaking, the President of SOAN, Mr. Sonny Eja, described the celebrant as a valuable asset to Nigerian ship owners.

“We are all gathered here to celebrate an outstanding and incredible individual. Emeka has been very valuable to Nigerian ship owners and particularly the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN). We can’t thank him enough for his great contributions to the sector. At 50 years, he looks like a 25-year old or a 30-year old. Congratulations Sir,” Eja said.

The event also featured the review of the new books, as Prof. Adewale Olawoyin SAN – Professor of Law, University of Lagos, reviewed ‘Ship Arrest in Nigeria’; while the review of ‘Nigerian Ports Law’ was done by Victor Onyegbado Esq.

Meanwhile, the celebrant, Akabogu observed that there is a symbiotic relationship between the maritime sector and the oil and gas industry.

He expressed delight to have both sectors fully represented at the birthday dinner, even as he reiterated his gratitude to be honoured by the eminent personalities.

“I’m very grateful for this honour. What more can I say but to appreciate you all for taking out time to be here. I can’t tell my story without acknowledging the encouragement and support over the years and I’m humbled that this level of dignitaries have left their businesses and the comfort of their homes to celebrate with me. You’re my family, friends, associates and more. I thank you all so much. Let’s dance, relax and have fun,” Akabogu remarked before hitting the dancefloor.

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