Okonna Wins Focused And Efficient Administrator’s Award

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

L-R: Aniemu, representative of the Rector, HOD Public Relations MAN, Odjegba in a group photo after the awards ceremony

Key figures across Nigeria’s maritime and trade ecosystem were celebrated at the 6th edition of the JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting, held in Apapa. Themed “Towards a Regime of Smart Ports in Nigeria,” the event recognised outstanding contributions to port development, trade facilitation, and public service.

Among the honourees was Dr. Kevin Okonna, Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, who received the Distinguished Leadership Award in Maritime Education and Institutional Excellence. His recognition highlights reforms and capacity-building initiatives that have strengthened the academy’s role in maritime education.

Other Awardees includes the following:

Omotayo Dada, Managing Director of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited (ICNL) – Excellence Award for Dry Port Management and Innovative Trade Facilitation

Gambo Aliyu, Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service – Distinguished Service Award for Operations in Anti-Smuggling

Shuaibu Kaila, Customs Area Controller, Seme Border Command – Distinguished Service Award for Combating Smuggling and Wildlife Trafficking

Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service – Excellence Award in ICT/Multimedia-Driven Public Communications

Abdulrasheed Naisidi, Chairman/CEO, ARN Group Co. International – Award of Entrepreneurial Excellence and Promotion of Maritime Trade in the Hinterland

Ubong Essien, Dean, School of Eloquence & Founder, Blue Economy TV – Award of Excellence for Promotion of Blue Economy Education and Awareness

Publisher of JournalNG Magazine, Ismail Aniemu, emphasised that recognising excellence serves as a catalyst for reform, particularly as Nigeria positions its ports to align with global smart port standards driven by automation, data integration, and improved logistics efficiency.

The annual forum also featured robust discussions on policy direction, infrastructure gaps, and the role of technology in enhancing port competitiveness, reinforcing the critical role of innovation and leadership in advancing Nigeria’s maritime industry.