Prince Olayiwola Shittu: A Glimpse Into His ‘International Peace Advocate’ Appointment

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

To describe Prince Olayiwola Shittu merely as a statesman, like many other senior Nigerians, is to diminish his true identity. His essence lies in character, vision, service, duty, honour, integrity, and passion. These qualities, harmoniously combined, define his personality and give him the existential balance that philosophers often associate with human perfection.

Yet, it is his humility and other virtues that elevate him further, making him more than a public figure, indeed, a living legend. He has shed the limitations of tribal, racial, religious, and cultural attachments, standing as a man free of primordial instincts. He relates with the consciousness of a spiritually mature individual, dispensing humanity in all he does: whether in service, material or moral support, love, or attention to others.

Almost free from the burden of human bias, the former President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has long played the role of intercessor and guardian in various human affairs.

In 2021, for instance, Prince Shittu was appointed Chairman of the Advisory Committee on NPPM to support the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative. He steered the committee with passion, collaborating with government agencies and the private sector to achieve its objectives. Remarkably, the committee worked pro bono to assist the Shippers Council in fulfilling its mandate. His competence, trustworthiness, and credibility drew admiration from far and wide.

Chief James Idornigie, the longest-serving Chairman of ANLCA’s Board of Trustees, once described Shittu as “a man of peace and honour.” He recalled how, despite pressure to appoint someone else, he waited for Shittu to return from abroad before entrusting him with the task of reconciliation, an effort that proved successful.

In an interview with this reporter in 2010, Chief Idornigie narrated the drill he passed through to get Shittu to serve on the reconciliation committee.

“We decided that it was time to reorganize and reposition ahead for restoring the national leadership structure and we wanted to set up a Restoration and Planning Committee. Many names were suggested to me, one of the names   that was recommended was Olayiwola Shittu. His name struck more confidently more than all the others…l remembered him immediately and l said he was the right choice.

“But there was a problem, he was not in Nigeria at the time, l think he was in Europe or America, and when l contacted him, he said he would not be back until about three months. I said l will wait. After about three weeks, people started disturbing me… “Chief, please appoint somebody else, why should one man delay the process.”

“A group even came to waylay me at home to pick from among the other available members. I refused, l said l will wait for Shittu…and l waited and that was how he helped us achieve the process of reconciliation at that time”, Idornigie said.

Similarly, in 2022, Shittu chaired the Peace and Reconciliation Committee of the Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA). Though not a member of NISA nor directly involved in shipping, his integrity and wisdom shone brightly, earning him the trust of stakeholders and helping to reduce acrimony within the group.

After a distinguished career at the Nigerian Ports Authority, Shittu ventured into the clearing and forwarding business. On April 6, 2026, news of his appointment as an International Peace Advocate by the Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC) came as no surprise. As the saying goes, “a golden fish has no hiding place.”

This honour is fitting, for Shittu is naturally equipped to deliver in such a role. His appointment reflects his outstanding contributions to peace-building and industry development. The investiture ceremony is scheduled for April 29, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, coinciding with the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.

UN-POLAC, established in 2001 and affiliated with the United Nations and UNESCO, was founded in response to the UN General Assembly’s declaration of 2001–2010 as the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence. Its mandate aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNESCO’s peace initiatives, emphasizing security and the restoration of human dignity.

Shittu’s nomination underscores his longstanding commitment to resolving disputes and promoting unity within the maritime sector. As a two-time ANLCA president and Chairman of SKELAS Group, he is widely respected as a mediator and elder statesman. His appointment can rightly be seen as the crowning glory of his efforts to promote peace across human frontiers.

The role comes with symbolic benefits, including a UN-POLAC Certificate of Appointment, an international identity card, investiture apparel, a flag of authority, and a special vehicle number plate in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

As an International Peace Advocate, Shittu will be called upon to participate in peace-building initiatives, mediation efforts, and programmes that promote positive living in line with global best practices. The annual investiture ceremony serves as a platform to honour individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to peace, leadership, and community development.

In his nomination letter, UN-POLAC Director-General Prof. Halo B. Eton congratulated Shittu, describing the appointment as a well-deserved recognition of his enduring contributions to peace and distinguished leadership in the maritime sector.

Responding to the honour, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said:

“I sincerely appreciate Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC) for this distinguished honour. I accept this appointment with deep humility and a strong sense of responsibility to further advance peace, unity, and constructive dialogue within the maritime sector and the wider society.

“I remain fully committed to promoting harmony, mutual respect, and sustainable development, while supporting initiatives that foster cooperation, stability, and collective progress for our nation and the global community.”