Maritime  Stakeholders Mourn Over Demise Of Otunba Kunle Folarin 

The Honourable Minister of transportation , Mu’Azu Sambo and other notable players from the maritime industry have continued to mourn over the death of  Otunba Kunle Folarin ,Chairman, Nigeria Port Consultative Council (NPCC),

They joined the NPCC and all maritime stakeholders in mourning  the late icon who died few days ago after a brief illness.

Otunba Kunle Folarin  who died on Tuesday,was last seen at the conference of the Chartered of Logistics and Transport'(CILT) held on the 10th of October 2020.

Until his death, Folarin was also the Chairman, National Seafarers Welfare Board (NSWB).

Reacting to the news of his death, the Honourable Minister said the “Nation has lost a maritime repository of knowledge, an experienced maritime practitioner, a voice of the ideal, a highly cerebral gentleman and most importantly, a friend”

The Minister saddened by the news of his passing said “ there was a lot in the pipeline through the ingenuity of this intellectual doyen that will further enhance the dynamics of operation in the country’s maritime sector, and in honour of his memory he will ensure they are brought to fruition”. Every moment of his life was dedicated to improving the maritime sector, either in passing down knowledge or being a constructive critic to ensure the ideals are upheld in the sector. He served well and lived well.

“May the Almighty Allah repose his soul and grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss” the Honourable Minister said.

On his part National President,Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association,Comrade Bob Yousou described his death as a shock, saying that the maritime industry will miss him greatly.

Speaking through the Union’s Secretary General, Comrade John Aleakhue Okpono, Folarin was a  maritime  encyclopedia and a mentor to the seafaring community, adding that the late icon will remain a legend in the minds of many.

According to him,the merchant Navy organisation will miss the great legend who contributed immensely to maritime industry of Nigeria.

Similarly, foremost maritime lawyer, Barrister Osuala Nwagbara said that the Iroko of the maritime will continue to reverberate in the mind of many.

Nwagbara while expressing shock of the news stated that” It is so shocking to us. The man of knowledge in the maritime industry has passed on and the industry will be foreshadowed for a very long time by the news of his passing on. His death is so painful.

“I do not think we have anyone knowledgeable as Otunba Folarin.It is painful , so so painful. My his soul rest in peace.”

Folarin died at the age of 85 years.

 

 

By Roland Ekama