John Iwori
The President, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Engr. Greg Ogbeifun will this weekend lead a delegation of Nigerian ship owners to the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) 2018, the Chairman, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Lord Marland of Odstock has said.
This is not the first time Ogbeifun would be invited to attend the CBF which remains a veritable gathering of serious businessmen and women in the Commonwealth and beyond.
Nigerian ship owners led by Ogbeifun had in the past attended and participated actively in previous meetings of the CBF to the delight of stakeholders in the maritime industry.
The meeting which will take place in London, United Kingdom from 16th to 18th April, 2018 will serve as an avenue for no fewer than 25 top level chief executive officers (CEOs) to network and rub minds on critical issues that will drive the shipping sector of the economy.
According to a letter addressed to Ogbeifun who remains one the foremost ship owners in Nigeria, a copy of which was sighted byMaritime Bits, the CBF would take place alongside the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Apparently driving home its importance, the Chairman said: “As you are already aware, the Commonwealth Business Forum is an integral part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and convenes business leaders, industry experts and senior government representatives to debate the issues facing their countries in 2018 and beyond. Organised by the CWEIC, working with the United Kingdom Government and in partnership with the City of London, this top-level business gathering is only accessed by accredited invitation and will be held across iconic central London venues. Invitations will be extended to a targeted list of 800 of the Commonwealth’s leading businesses who can make a real impact on the debate”.
Ogbeifun is expected to lead a delegation of business leaders from the Nigerian shipping sector to support Nigeria’s robust participation at the event.
“We would also like SOAN to play a key role in the Maritime Session at CBF which is to take place on the 17th of April from 1130 to 1300 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. We look forward to working closely with the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria over the coming months and look forward to partnering with the organisation beyond this event”, the letter added.
A respected voice in the maritime industry, Ogbeifun is also the Chairman and CEO of a Nigerian marine logistics firm, Starzs Investments Company Limited. Among other things, the companyactivities include ownership, operation and maintenance ofdifferent kinds of vessels in the country.
