The Nigerian maritime industry in year 2022, lost to the hands of death some key industry players who forever will be remembered for their input in the maritime industry. The year 2022 may have come and gone, but the memories of these maritime icons will not be forgotten so soon.
THE PORTWAY has listed five of the prominent people who until their death in 2022 were linked to the Nigerian maritime industry.
Rotimi Fashakin
Rotimi Fashakin died on Saturday evening, September 24, 2022 in London, United Kingdon. He served was the executive director (Operations) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), from 2016 to March 2020.
According to family sources, Fashakin was studying Law at the University of Buckingham, and was billed to graduate in December 2022.
The deceased was a graduate of the then University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State where he bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
He was survived by his widow, Busola Fashakin and three children.
Ngozi Obikili
Mrs Ngozi Obikili died on October 12, 2022. Before her demise, she was General Manager, Corporate and General Planning of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“The Authority regrets to announce the sudden demise on 12th October 2022 of Mrs Ngozi Obikili who until her death was General Manager, Corporate & Strategic Planning Division.
“Her contributions remain an indelible reference point in the annals of the Authority and her global trade facilitation efforts,” NPA stated on its twitter handle.
Otunba Kunle Folarin
Otunba Kunle Folarin died on November 8, 2022 at age 81. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) and Chairman of the National Seafarers Welfare Board (NSWB).
“I am truly saddened by the death of this great man. Otunba Kunle Folarin’s exit at this time will create a great vacuum in the maritime community.
“He was an accomplished maritime expert and administrator, and a repository of maritime knowledge. His death will be felt far beyond the maritime industry,” the Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup said while commiserating with Folarin’s family.
Many other maritime industry operators and stakeholders expressed similar sentiments about the late Folarin’s contribution to the maritime industry, describing his demise as a “sad loss” to the industry.
“Otunba Folarin was steadfast in his service to the maritime industry having served in one of the most senior management positions in Alraine Shipping. He later devoted his life to the wellbeing of seafarers through his selfless and unparalleled service as Chairman of the National Seafarers Welfare Board (NSWB) and also as Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC). The role he played in the maritime industry will remain indelible for many generations to come,” Haastrup said, even as she prayed that God Almighty grants his soul eternal rest.
A brilliant scholar, an economist of repute and a great leader, Folarin had his training at the College of Petroleum and Energy, Oxford, UK, Templeton College Oxford UK, Harvard University, MASS US
He studied Economics and Industrial Administration with specialisation in International and Coastal Shipping,Maritime Consulting,Development Economics,Corporate Planning,Maritime Law,Maritime Labour & Seafaring Regulation,Ports and Terminals Management,Maritime Training,Industrial Administration,Work Study,Ship Brokering and Ship Agency.
He worked with SDV Group, Alraine Nigeria Limited from May 1972 – Nov. 1996, before leaving to start his own companies.
The late maritime icon will be buried on January 27, 2023 in Lagos.
Mrs Juliana Abiodun Gunwa
A former Director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs Juliana Abiodun Gunwa.
Gunwa, died on December 13 at age 64.
She served as the Director of Marine Environment Management (MEM) and Director Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA before her retirement in 2018.
The deceased obtained a first degree in humanities from the University of Ibadan. She also had an M.Sc in Marine Management from the Dalhousie University Haliface, Canada and another M.Sc in General Maritime Administration from the World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden.
Omoyeni Jolapamo-Olalekan
Late Omoyeni Jolapamo was the daughter of the founding President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo.
She died on September 23, 2022 at age 47, without any prior ailment, at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital, UK.
She was said to have been hale and hearty until a few days to her death when she slumped and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
The deceased was survived by her father, husband, three daughters and many siblings.
