NIMASA’s merit Award mirrors the beautiful world of maritime
By Silvanus Obasi
It was the gathering of who is who in the Nigeria maritime sector and beyond as stakeholders and notable dignitaries converged on January 12, 2019 at Eko Hotels and Suites for NIMASA’s Corporate Dinner & Merit Award .
The dignitaries include Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and the renowned entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu. The Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammad Sanusi II and the Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi were present as royal fathers of the day.
Other dignitaries were the governors of Edo and Kebbi States, The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Budget and Planning, Udo Udoma, including Heads of maritime Agencies, Ship Owners and captains of maritime industry, amongst other stakeholders. Yours sincerely was also there as Mr Speaker of the Maritime industry to witness the occasion as a member of the forth estate of the realm.
The occasion, aptly tagged, “A Nautical Night of Excellence” was unique in many ways especially as the male and female MCs who anchored the occasion were dressed in seafarers’ attire as captains of a ship on a crucial voyage with many miles to cover.
The ambience of the hall and its sitting arrangements, the stage decorations, the red carpet walk way and everything around depict a typical maritime environment and will make you feel like someone in a cruise ship.
It was indeed a nautical night of excellence judging by the classic manner the event was anchored from beginning to the end such that a non maritime guest at the event would simply get jealous of maritime practitioners.
To some NIMASA staff who were honoured with Long Service Awards, it was a night to remember. To some stakeholders who were honoured with one Award or the for their outstanding performance in 2018, it was a night to be proud of.
But the most touching of all the Awards was the postmortem Award of Bravery presented to the family of a young man who died while rescuing 15 others involved in boat accident in Port Harcourt sometime last year.
Tears coursed down many cheeks as the mother of the boy and his family members mounted the stage in tears to receive the award on behalf of their late son. But they should take consolation in the standing ovation given to the boy for his bravery and act of kindness and humanity. I know for sure that the boy’s soul would be happy in the spirit world for that Special recognition.
