Former Rector of MAN Oron, Eng Olu Akinsoji is Dead

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Nigerian maritime industry woke up to a rude shock on Wednesday morning with the death of former Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.

Apart from being the former Rector of MAN Oron, Eng Akinsoji was Nigeria’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Kingdom; as well as the brain behind the establishment of the NIgerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

He also developed the principles of the NIgerian Cabotage Act. He retired as a Director of Shipping Services, Federal Ministry of Transport. He was an active and very important member of the NIgerian Ports Consultative Council (PCC)

Confirming Eng Akinsoji’s passage, a Chieftain of the Port Consultative Council (PCC) Mr Okechukwu Vincent said “On Wednesday 3rd January, 2024, the Acting Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola and Mr. A.O. Vincent paid him a working visit in his home town Abeokuta.

“We had pleaded with him to present the lead paper at the Council’s Quarterly Meeting at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday February 25, 2024. But he drew our attention to his ailing health, especially the legs which were gradually going down.

“But he agreed to grant us an interview this week which would contain the way forward for the NIgerian Ports Consultative Council. Little did we know that thirteen days after the useful discussion he would join his ancestors” he wrote on one of the stakeholders platforms on Wednesday.