A leading indigenous maritime and offshore logistics company in the country, Starzs Investments Company Limited (SICL) has given an insight into what informed its vision.
The firm made it clear that the decision of its Founder and Chairman, Board of Directors, Engr. Greg Utonwem Ogbeifun to impact knowledge and carve a niche for himself in his chosen profession, propelled him to take some of the steps he took as a young marine engineer.
The Managing Director of SICL, Ms. Iroghama Ogbeifun stated this in her welcome address at a symposium organized to end the weeklong celebration of the company 40th anniversary celebration in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt recently.
She praised the Founder for his resilience and hard work that has seen the company through all the stages in its formative years.
Her words: “Please allow me to stand on the rest of the remaining protocol. It is with immense gratitude and great pride that I welcome you all to the star-spotted anniversary of the maritime symposium. Forty years ago, one man’s vision set sail, and today that vision has become an institution, and tomorrow together we chart the course for the next generation of African maritime excellence.
“Today is more than a celebration of a company reaching a remarkable milestone. Forty years, we will be beings, like they say. It is a celebration of vision, resilience, innovation and the enduring power of purpose. Forty years ago, stars began with a bold, very, very bold aspiration to build a world-class indigenous maritime economy that would contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s offshore energy industry. Four decades later, we stand on the shoulders of that vision, grateful for how far we have come and inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead. This occasion is particularly meaningful to me.
“As a managing director and a representative of the second generation of leadership, I am constantly reminded that true leadership is not merely about inheriting an institution. It is about honoring a legacy while courageously preparing it for the future. We are privileged to build upon foundations laid through years of sacrifice, integrity, and professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence”.
According to the ebullient Managing Director who has been running the firm since Engr. Ogbeifun stepped down and took the role of Chairman, SICL Board of Directors some years ago, our responsibility is not only to preserve what has been built, but to strengthen it, modernize it, and position it for another 40 years of impact. The maritime industry is evolving rapidly. There’s digital transformation, de-carbonization, local content development advancement, AI, energy transition, and of course regional integration.
Continuing, she said: “These are all redefining the future of shipping and offshore logistics. These changes present both challenges and extraordinary opportunities for Nigerian companies. That is why today is so important. Today’s symposium provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue amongst policymakers, industry leaders, regulators, and the private sector. Together we can explore practical solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness, deepen indigenous participation, and begin to develop the next generation of maritime professionals. We want to see more companies like Starzs emerge where second generation leadership takes charge.
“This event has been carefully designed not only as a celebration of where we have been but as a platform for conversations that will discuss how do we build a globally competitive maritime ecosystem? How do we strengthen indigenous participation while remaining internationally competitive? How do we accelerate innovation without compromising safety? How do we prepare our workforce for the technologies that will define the future? How do we ensure that the blue economy becomes a catalyst for sustainable national prosperity?
“These are conversations that matter not just to Starzs but to our industry and also to the future of Nigeria. So as we celebrate our past, we must also ask ourselves an important question. What legacy are we building on the generations that will come after us? I believe our greatest achievement will not simply be the vessels we own, the contracts we execute, and the milestones that we celebrate. It will be the institutions that we strengthen, the people that we develop, the standards that we uphold, and the opportunities we create for future generations of Nigerians.
“To our clients and partners, thank you for your trust over the past 40 years. To our regulators and government institutions, thank you for creating an enabling environment that functions to support indigenous participation and industry growth. To our employees, to my colleagues at Starzs who are part of this organization and at the heart of this organization, your dedication, your professionalism, and your resilience have shaped the Starzs story. And to the Founder of Starzs, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, his vision and determination transformed an idea into one of Nigeria’s respected indigenous maritime companies, where we expressed our deepest and founders’ fondest appreciation. Your legacy continues to inspire us and we remain committed to building upon the foundation that you have established.”
At the occasion, the SICL helmswoman was given a thumb up for carrying on with the vision of the company since she took over its management.
She was specifically praised for expanding the vision going by the number of fleet SICL presently have compared to what it had hitherto; accessing funds running into millions of United States of America (USA) dollars; creation of an application (app) that SICL uses to communicate with members of staff that is expanding; as well as consolidating on the founder’s vision.
