The immediate past Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has paid tributes to the late Chairperson, Ship Owners Forum, Barrister (Mrs.) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi.
Apparently saddened by Orakwusi’s demise on April 28, 2023 after a brief illness, the erstwhile NIMASA helmsman in a statement made available to Maritime Bits stated that her immense contributions to maritime development cannot be forgotten.
Describing her as a “huge authority and inspiration in the country’s maritime sector” whose demise will create a big vacuum that would be difficult to fill, Peterside said he was deeply saddened at the passing of the maritime lawyer and shipping magnate, whom he described as an authority in maritime law and the fishing sub-sector.
The statement which was issued under auspices of the Dakuku Peterside Media Team quoted the public sector turnaround expert saying that Onyema-Orakwusi 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 said.
Continuing, Peterside who was the 2015 All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State said: “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 put her heart and determination into every endeavour she embarked upon.”
He recalled his encounters with the deceased and said she spoke with passion, deep knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the maritime sector.
“When I served as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIMASA, she played key advisory role in the reform of maritime regulations. She showed deep understanding on the interface between business at a practical level and maritime regulation and I appreciated her for all her advice. I could always count on her for dispassionate opinions on issues that required attention and direction; she showed enormous grasp of issues within the sector,” Peterside added.
He commiserated with the family and friends of the deceased, and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great loss.
