By Roland Ekama
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Thursday in Lagos, described a book titled ” Nigeria and Global Maritime Industry” as a prospective document for research works to highlights activities of the maritime sector .
Speaking at a book presentation, written by Mr. Moses Fadipe, Coordinator General of Port Standing Task Team (PSTT ) , the pioneer Minister of Marine and Blue Economy commended the author for publishing materials that will satisfy academicians and researchers about the maritime sector and its crucial roles.
The Minister who was representing by a director from the ministry Mr. Olusanya Olayinka reiterated that author , who is also the Director ,South West Zone, Nigerian Shippers’Council (NSC) has contributed to the development of the port industry adding that the name Moses Fadipe is already ringing a bell in the new Ministry.
He noted that the reference material published by Fadipe will go down in history as a veritable for past , present and future material for maritime related studies.
Oyetola also described Moses Fadipe as a highly valuable citizen of Nigeria,even as he , commended the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) under Fadipe’s leadership.
He noted that:“Beyond writing a book, editing and publishing, we should go to the next level of ensuring that we implement everything that he has put in place and written down for the overall benefits of this nation,” he said.
Former National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu called on the publisher of the book to bank on him for any form of reproduction of the book.
Shittu who doubles as the Chairman, Skelas Group recalled that ANLCA had played a major role in advisory capacity to PSTT achievements over the years
Earlier, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, described Fadipe as a restless person, who goes beyond the call of duty to achieve the tasks assigned to him.
He said the book “Nigeria and Global Maritime Industry” reflects Fadipe’s personal encounter and experience in his thirty years service to the nation.
“We saw what he did in freeing the port corridor in terms of the madness that was going on there and to try to bring about efficiency of the port system to encourage trade in the country. I believe he is one man in more than twenty,” the boss said.
“It will be a guiding light from where we would move forward to develop this blue economy that His Excellency Mr. President has set before us,” Ukeyima said.
The book launch was attended by dignitaries from industry including the Managing Director of PTML, Ascanio Russo; former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mrs Chinwe Ezenwa former Managing Director NPA,Chief Adebayo Babatunde Sarumi, former Executive Secretary NSC, Mr. Kingsley Usoh and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere.
Others are President Nigeria Association of Master Mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao, President Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Deputy President General Maritime Workers’Union of Nigeria MWUN,Comrade Boniface Udom etc.
The event also witnessed by the representatives of Nigeria Customs Service; Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Security (DSS), terminal operators and royal fathers.
