By Steve Agbota
About 22 individuals and institutions were last week honoured at the 27th edition of the Maritime Industry Merit Award (MIMA), organised by Maritime Media Limited, the publishers of Shipping World magazine.
The event, which was held at Oriental Hotels, in Lagos, brought together key stakeholders from across the maritime industry, including government officials, regulatory heads, terminal operators, Customs officers, freight forwarders and other personalities from media organisations.
At the event, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received the award for Most Outstanding Governor on Maritime Infrastructure Development, while the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, was honoured as the Best Maritime-Friendly Governor.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, received the Pace Setter Award, in recognition of his leadership since the creation of the ministry.
In the media space, The Editor, Sunday Sun, Mr Chidi Nnadi, was honoured with the Editor of the Year Award in recognition of his resilience and hard work.
Again, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah was named Maritime Man of the Year, while the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, emerged as Most Promising Maritime CEO 2024.
The award also recognised players across the logistics and trade facilitation chain.
Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), terminal operators, and Customs brokers were among the recipients of various categories of awards for their roles in the industry.
Other honourees included the immediate past President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju; the current MWUN President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu; and former Tin Can Port Manager, Sylvester Egede.
Speaking at the event, Chairman LOC, MIMA, 2025, former President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, commended the organisers for sustaining the awards over the years.
He described the event as one of the most credible recognition platforms in the industry and lauded the increasing number of young professionals emerging as industry voices.
“This event continues to set the standard for recognising those who truly contribute to the growth of the sector. I’m particularly pleased to see younger people being celebrated, especially in journalism and leadership,” Shittu stated.
He added that events like MIMA help to bridge generational gaps and reinforce professionalism in maritime practice.
However, he said MIMA is more than just recognition, saying it is about celebrating resilience, innovation, and the undeniable impact the distinguished maritime stakeholders have made, which takes the nation closer to actualizing the much-anticipated transformation of the Marine and Blue Economy
“Tonight is about celebrating how far we’ve come as individuals, organisations, unions, and associations. As we celebrate and reward excellence, we are also looking ahead to stimulate more innovative, accountable, and patriotic leadership traits for a sustainable maritime sector.
“This year’s event, themed: “Rewards of Excellence”, is an acknowledgement and a celebration of exceptional performance, achievements and contributions of diverse stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector. We believe that these awards will be an extra motivation to awardees and other industry players to strive for even greater achievements.
“However, this event also avails a unique opportunity to build stronger networks as the industry’s core operators like; shipping companies and terminal operators; port users like freight forwarders and logistics services providers; all categories of regulators, seafarers, maritime lawyers, emerging maritime tourism operators among others can be found among the guests in this beautiful ballroom,” he said.
Speaking to reporters at Oriental Hotels venue of the event, Mr Nnadi thanked the organisers of MIMA led by Elder Asu Beks, the CEO of Maritime Media Limited, for finding him worthy of the award, adding that the honour will spur him to do more as a journalist.
He dedicated the award to the Founder of The Sun Publishing Limited, publishers of Daily, Saturday, Sunday and Sporting Sun, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
MIMA is an annual event organised by Maritime Media Limited, owned by veteran maritime journalist; Elder Asu Beks. The award has become a notable platform for recognising distinguished contributions to the maritime industry in Nigeria.
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