Maritime Stakeholders Felicitate With Asu Beks At 70

Maritime Stakeholders Felicitate With Asu Beks At 70

·         As Jamoh, Kingsley Kuku Get Awards

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, critical stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime converged for the 70th birthday celebration of a doyen of maritime journalism in Nigeria, Elder Asu Beks.
At the event which drew sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation, also saw the conferment of awards on the Director- General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh and Dr Kingsley Kuku, former Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Those who attended the event include Jamoh, maritime lawyer, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), a shipowner, Captain Taiwo Akinpelumi, another maritime lawyer, Bar. Emeka Akabogu, former President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, as well as maritime security expert and Chairman of Bricks, Emmanuel Maiguwa.
Others are Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Charles Ekpowei Edike (rtd) President of ANLCA, Emenike Nwokeoji, his Vice, Prince Segun Oduntan and Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, among others.
Speaking, Asu Beks said: “I want us to pause for a moment and celebrate with me, two great minds, who in all modesty, came ahead of their time. And they are from the two constituencies that are dear to my heart.
“I have an unquenchable passion for the Niger Delta and our Marine and Blue Economy. Ironically, these sectors account for over 90 percent of our balance of payment. And I ask, what is Nigeria without the Niger Delta or where will Nigeria be in the comity of nations without the Maritime Industry?
“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s celebrate the Director-General of NIMASA) Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh and former Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Kingsley Kemebradigha Kuku.
“I decided to use the occasion of my 70th birthday to honour these patriots whose love for their fatherland is phenomenal.”
Jamoh was honoured as the Most Influential Maritime Personality of the Decade, in recognition of his giant strides in the Maritime Industry in the last decade.
 Jamoh has not only been widely acclaimed for the securing the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), but he has also lived up to his mandate to strengthen the three pillars on which his administration was built  including Safety, Shipping Development and Seafarers Development.
He has also ensured that he does not fall short on his key performance indicators, thus building a regime of transparency in corporate governance.
On his part, Kuku was recognised as the Most Influential Niger Delta Personality of the Decade for his uncommon leadership style, which endeared him not only to the Niger Delta region, but to the global community when he served in his capacity as Chairman of the PAP.
 Kuku was appointed at a time the Niger Delta region came up on the global map as a hot bed for banditry, piracy and other acts of criminality. Oil receipts had also plunged to its lowest, but all that changed the moment the Kuku Concept was introduced as the healing tonic, thus ensuring safety and security.