Condolence: Koko-Bello, Hassan Bello, Usoro, Others Visit Margaret Orakwusi’s Ikoyi Residence
MARITIME INDUSTRY STKAEHOLDERS AT ORAKWUSI'S RESIDENCE
It is a big loss for maritime industry – Hassan Bello
By Francis Ugwoke
The passage last Friday of the Chairman of the Shipowners Forum, Barrister (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, has continued to attract maritime industry stakeholders who have paid condolence visits to the family of the deceased in her Ikoyi, Lagos residence.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Mohammed Bello Koko, former Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Hassan Bello, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs Mfon Usoro and many other industry stakeholders have paid their condolence visits to the family of late Mrs Orakwusi.
Bello-Koko led his management team to pay his condolence visit.
He was joined by many industry stakeholders, including the former Director, NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka in the visit.
Hassan Bello who described Orakwusi’s passage as a painful exit was also in her Ikoyi residence for a second time on Tuesday.
He had visited earlier on Monday when he described Orakwusi’s passage as a big loss to the nation’s maritime industry.
It would be recalled that the DG of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and Chairman of Genesis WorldWide Shipping Limited, Capt Emmanuel Iheanacho, frontline maritime lawyer, Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, among others had also visited the family house of Orakwusi to pay their condolence.
Orakwusi, a well known maritime community personality was the Chief Executive Officer of Morbod Group.
She is survived by her children Ezinma Ileka, Binyelum and Ody Orakwusi.
Since her passage, industry stakeholders have continued to pay tribute.
Transport Minister, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo and other maritime stakeholders, including the Director General NIMASA , Jamoh, have expressed shock over the passage of late Orakwusi.
Sambo in a statement said her demise came to him as a big shock, adding that her “veritable contributions to the nation’s maritime growth, particularly in the Trawler business, among many others are worthy of mention”.
Sambo said, “I received with shock, in the early hours of Saturday 29th April 2023, the passing of Chief (Ms) Barrister Margaret Nkem Onyema-Oriakwusi, a jewel in our nation’s maritime industry and a passionate voice among maritime practitioners at home and abroad.
“While we mourn the loss of a jewel, a mother and an Amazon, we pay tributes to her and celebrate a life well-lived.
“Her veritable contributions to the nation’s maritime growth, particularly in the Trawler business, among many others are worthy of mention.
Her highly cerebral views, passionate and endearing work ethic stands her out among her peers, and this we admire.
“May the Almighty God grant her family and the maritime industry the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“May her legacies endure, her memories cherished and her soul rest in perfect peace.
Adieu!”
Similarly, the NIMASA DG, Jamoh also described as shocking the demise of Onyema-Orakwusi who is the Chairman of , Ship Owners Forum as very painful.
Jamoh described Orakwusi as a sister, friend and ardent supporter, adding that the maritime industry has lost a gem.
Jamoh said, “The maritime industry has lost a colossus, a genuine and selfless soul. I have lost a sister, staunch supporter and friend. I am in shock, but God knows best. Rest in peace, Barrister Margaret Orakwusi, Nigeria’s Icon of Fisheries. I extend my condolences to the Orakwusi family.”
The former Director General of NIMASA, Dr, Dakuku Peterside, in a statement while commiserating with Onyema-Orakwusi family, children and loved ones, prayed for the fortitude that will enable them bear the great loss.
He described the late Onyema-Orakwusi as an authority in maritime law and the fishing sub-sector. In his words, “She was a notable and accomplished shipping magnate and maritime lawyer. This is a great loss to the maritime community especially the fishing sub sector”.
He added ” Her demise will be felt by her associates and the maritime community. She contributed immensely to the growth and development of the maritime industry. She was an inspiration to a lot of women who saw her as a star in a male-dominated maritime sector. She puts her heart and determination into every endeavour she embarked upon.”
The League of Maritime Editors had also expressed shock over the demise of Orakwus.
Describing Orakwusi as epitome of knowledge, the League in a condolence message to the family said her death is devastating to the entire maritime industry.
The President of League, Chief Timothy Okorocha, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr Francis Ugwoke described Orakwusi as an erudite maritime personality who has contributed immensely to the development of the industry.
Okorocha said the maritime industry will miss her wealth of experience for a long time to come.
Okorocha while condoling the family prayed to God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.
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