Maritime Industry leaders have lauded the contributions of Doctor Emeka Akabogu to the industry as a lawyer and policy expert, as they took turns to extol his work ethics and industry.
The encomium came at the celebration of the lawyer’s 50th birthday where he presented two books on maritime law and policy to the public.
Highlights of the event included an inter-university debate between the University of Lagos and Lagos State University, in addition to the award of prizes to winners of the inaugural ‘Dr. Emeka Akabogu Maritime Writing Challenge “DREAM WRICH.”
Speaking on the occasion, Akabogu said that the event was his way of giving back to the maritime industry and planting seeds for the future. “To take advantage of its potentials, the maritime industry needs to activate a range of high value multiplier initiatives concurrently, driven by a strong, industry-grounded intellectual core. Without that, it would be impossible. The young people we are encouraging are the seeds of that core for tomorrow,” he said.
Among personalities present at the event were the Director of Maritime Services at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Babatunde Jimoh; the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Doctor Bashir Jamoh; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello Koko; the President of Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sonny Eja, President of the Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents (ANCLA), Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, and President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Alhaji Aminu Umar, the Chairman of Starz Investment Group, Engineer Greg Ogbeifun and a host of other industry leaders.