Apex Igbo Maritime group, Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners In Nigeria (ASIMPIN) has conferred the honour of “Godfather of Maritime Industry” on the founder of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam.
The Special Guest of Honour of the Day and Controller, Tin Can Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Nze Francis Chidera Nnadi mni is also billed to be honoured with the title of “Ochendu Ndigbo Maritime” by the President General of ASIMPIN, His Royal Majesty, Eze Amb.Demian Emeka Obianigwe, Ksm, Eze Oha 1 of Isi Ihitte Owerri, Orlu, Imo State.
Speaking at the well attended Iri-Ji/End of the Year Ceremony in Lagos on Sunday, the President General disclosed that Comptroller Nnadi will be bestowed with the honour in his palace in 2024.
The monarch extolled the virtues of Dr. Aniebonam and Comptroller Nnadi for their contributions to the Igbo cause and the Nigerian maritime industry.
In his response to the honour, Dr. Aniebonam enjoined the Igbos in Maritime, to embrace one another as brothers and stop opposing their own, alluding to the opposition he received from his Igbo brothers when he founded NAGAFF.
He however assured of his support for ASIMPIN even as he instructed members of NAGAFF of Igbo extraction to get involved in the activities of the association.
The ceremony was laced with a lecture titled Apprenticeship Scheme: A Unique Capital Incubation: Igbo Model.
The lecture was delivered by no other person than Comptroller Nnadi.
Nnadi, who is a Nze, brilliantly encapsulated the fulcrum of Igbo model of apprenticeship scheme.
His paper presentation explained how through resilience, forbearance, determination and humility on the part of Igbo apprentices they soon become
millionaires in their different fields of human endeavour.
The ceremony was attended by prominent Igbo personalities and other eminent Nigerians who joined to take part in the event that included the celebration of the Igbo New Yam Festival.
HRM Obianigwe was the Royal Father of the Day while Dr. Aniebonam was the Father of The Day and Compt. Nnadi, the Special Guest of Honour.
Other personalities present include Chief Peter Oge Obih, Dim Ogbuagu, who was the Guest of Honour, Prince Ozo Chukwurah, Deputy President, ASIMPIN, the Chief Host, Chief Emeka Okonkwo aka E-Money, MD/CEO of Clarion Bonded Terminal, Mrs. Bernard Eloka, the Vice President, Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Segun Odutan, Prince Ayo Ariyo, and many other dignitaries.
In his closing remarks, the Chief Host, Prince Ozo Chukwurah, appreciated everyone for making out time despite their tight schedules to be part of the ceremony. He enjoined Ndigbo in Maritime to be their brothers keepers and always apply wisdom in all they do.