Godfrey Bivbere Decorated Best Maritime Reporter of the Year

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

The 2026 MIMA investiture ceremony held March 30, 2026 also spotlighted the media’s indispensable role in the maritime sector, with Godfrey Bivbere, immediate past President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), decorated as Best Maritime Reporter of the Year.

Photo of the One Million Naira Cash Price donated by the Nigerian Ports Authority presented to Bivbere by Elder Beks

Polling 42% of the 2,403 votes cast, Bivbere outpaced Oluwakemi Dauda (31.1%) and Shulammite Olowofoyeku (26.9%), securing the coveted award that recognizes journalistic excellence and dedication to maritime reporting.

In his acceptance remarks, Bivbere expressed gratitude to the organizers, Maritime Media Ltd, publishers of Shipping World Magazine, for sustaining the awards as a platform to celebrate professionalism.

Godfrey Bivbere making his acceptance speech

“This award is a validation of years of hard work, sleepless nights, and dedication to telling the maritime story. Journalism in this sector is not just about reporting events; it is about shaping policy, holding stakeholders accountable, and ensuring that the industry remains on the path of growth,” Bivbere said.

Bivbere has built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected maritime journalists, with decades of reporting on port reforms, shipping policies, and industry challenges. As MARAN’s immediate past president, he championed the professionalization of maritime reporting, insisting that journalists must go beyond surface-level coverage to interrogate policies and provide informed analysis.

Elder Asu Beks making some remarks during the award

His recognition as Best Maritime Reporter of the Year highlights the growing acknowledgment of the media’s role in driving reforms. Without robust maritime journalism, critical issues such as port inefficiencies, regulatory lapses, and infrastructure gaps would remain underreported, slowing the pace of reform.

Analysts are of the consensus that Bivbere’s award is symbolic of the media’s evolving role in the maritime industry. With Nigeria’s ports facing global competition, journalists like Bivbere provide the scrutiny and advocacy needed to push stakeholders toward modernization. His reporting has often highlighted the need for policy coherence, infrastructure investment, and regulatory accountability.

Other winners at the ceremony included Faith Zibs Godwin, who emerged Maritime Woman of the Year, Access Bank as Best Duty Collecting Bank, and Tantita Security Services for Corporate Social Responsibility. The Chairman/CEO of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, was also recognized in the Lifetime Achievement category, with his company represented by Captain Ibraheem Olugbade.

As Bivbere himself noted, “The media must continue to shine the light on both the successes and the shortcomings of the industry. Only then can we build a maritime sector that is globally competitive.”

Below are more photos of the award with industry stakeholders, associates, family members and friends.