By  Godwin Oritse
AS the nation’s first  manpower development institute in the shipping sector; the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) marks its 25 anniversary it has unfolded a list of 25 eminent Nigerians and corporate bodies for honours at an event which comes up in Lagos between October, 28 and 29.

Top on the list of those to be honoured at the anniversary and awards night are the executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Obong Godswill Akpabio, the chairman, House of Representatives committee on marine transport, Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration    and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Temi Omatseye and the chief executive officer of foremost indigenous terminal operator, Sifax Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi.

While Governor Akpabio and the minister of interior, Capt Emmanuel Ihenacho will be given Special Award for their contributions, Omatseye, Ugwuanyi, and Afolabi and others will be conferred with the institute’s   Fellowship.

Similarly, two leading downstream oil industry operators; Capital Oil and Gas and Masters Energy Oil and Gas as well as Interport Marine Services are to be honoured with the Institutes Special Award in the corporate category.

According to a statement issued in Lagos and signed by the public relations officer of NIS, Mr. Sesan Onileimo, the anniversary and awards ceremony will be the climax of a two_day programme which also incorporates the institute’s annual general meeting (AGM).

“We take note of the contributions of these eminent Nigerians and corporate citizens whose parts have crossed ours in the last couple of years; both in Lagos and in other parts of the country where we have our branches and that is why some of the names may not be well_known in Lagos, where our national office is located, but they have in divergent ways played significant roles in helping us to meet our objectives.

Apart from this, they have also impacted positively in divergent ways in the upliftment of the shipping sector “, he explained.