*Oyetola Hails Company Strides
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), First Bank Holding, Arabel Holdings Plc, and many other st
akeholders in the maritime sector of the economy and beyond have hailed the strides Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) has made in the last four decades.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola also showered encomiums on SICL and its founder and Chairman Board of Directors, Engr. Geg Ogbeifun for the achievements of the company in the last 40 years.
Oyetola who was represented at the occasion by the Diector General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola commended SICL and Ogbeifun for what the firm has attained so far.
Oyetola and the stakeholders spoke at a symposium organized by SICL as part of the activities to commemorate its 40th year anniversary in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt recently.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatshola Ogbe hailed SICL for its feats since its establishment more than four decades ago.
Ogbe who was represented at the event also praised Ogbeifun for the vision in setting up SICL and nurturing it to its present level.
His words: “I especially celebrate you, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun for the great work that you have done. I also celebrate members of the Board of Directors of Starzs. I all of you on behalf of my principal, Engr. Felix Omatshola Ogbe who is unavoidably absent due to some official engagements in Abuja. I commend the board and management of Starzs Investment Company Limited for conveying this maritime symposium as part of activities marking the company’s 40th anniversary celebration. This milestone is worthy of celebration.
“Four decades of sustained contribution to Nigeria’s maritime and offshore logistics sector reflect resilience, vision, innovation, and commitment to national development. This milestone is worthy of celebration. The theme of this symposium, anchoring resilience, 40 years of private indigenous initiative, shaping Nigeria’s maritime future, is both timely and significant as it speaks directly to the role of indigenous enterprise in building a competitive and sustainable maritime industry. Over the past 40 years, Starzs has distinguished itself as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous service providers, contributing to the growth of local capacity in marine logistics, shipyard services, offshore support operations, and workforce development. The company’s journey demonstrates what is possible when Nigerian entrepreneurs are provided with opportunities, enabling policies, and the determination to invest in local talent, infrastructure, and that meets international standards”.
Ogbe stated that at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board “we strongly believe that sustainable national development is achieved when indigenous companies are empowered to participate meaningfully across the entire value chain of the oil and gas and maritime sectors.”
According to the NCDMB helmsman, these beliefs remain at the heart of NCDMB and of course the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010 which seeks to maximize in-country value retention, promote industrialization, create employment opportunities, and build sustainable Nigerian capacity. And this is my addition.
Continuing, Ogbe said: “We are therefore encouraged by the progress recorded by indigenous maritime companies such as Starzs which investments have contributed significantly to strengthening local participation and reducing dependence on foreign service providers. The collaboration between NCDMB and indigenous companies has continued to yield positive outcomes in line with our mandate to deepen Nigerian content and foster economic diversification.
“In recent years, we have also witnessed Starzs expand its investment into strategic growth areas within the energy sector including initiatives that support Nigeria’s gas development aspirations and the federal government decade of gas programme. Such investments are important because they align with our collective vision of building strong indigenous institutions capable of driving industrial growth, energy security, and long-term economic prosperity for our dear country. As we look toward the future, there is a need for stronger collaboration among industry operators, maritime service providers, financial institutions, policymakers, and regulators to address existing challenges and unlock new opportunities within the blue economy.
“We must continue to invest in human capacity development, technology acquisition, infrastructure expansion, local manufacturing, research innovation, and operational excellence. To ensure that Nigerian companies remain globally competitive, the future of Nigerian maritime industry will depend not only on policy support but also on the willingness of Nigerian indigenous businesses to embrace innovation, maintain high standards of corporate governance, and pursue strategic partnerships that create long-term value. I am confident that the discussion at this symposium will generate practical recommendations that will strengthen indigenous participation.”
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Arabel Holdings Plc who was represented at the event by Arabel Head of Communications, Mr. Chukwuma Kwadema also commended SICL for doing well in the maritime industry as well as the oil and gas industry.
According to the Arabel CEO, I want to celebrate this remarkable milestone. 40 years and counting of stars. Not many companies survive their 10th, their 15th, their 20th, their 25th, their 30th. Not many companies have survived their five years anniversary. Well, here we stand celebrating remarkable future, remarkable success.
Maritime Bits checks revealed that SICL is a leading indigenous maritime and offshore logistics company which has its headquarter in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt.
Established in 1986, SICL owns and operates a fleet of 11 offshore support vessels, employs more than 200 people, has successfully executed over 35 offshore marine contracts since 2010, and has trained more than 100 Nigerian cadets through its flagship cadetship programme.
It provides marine logistics, offshore support, vessel management, maritime security logistics, and specialised offshore services to major operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Guided by its mission, “Transforming Lives, One Boat at a Time,” SICL has over the years remains committed to operational excellence, innovation, sustainability, indigenous capacity development, and supporting the continued growth of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
