Obaseki, Amaechi, industry stakeholders extol Ogbeifun on 71st birthday

It was a celebration galore as industry stakeholders, friends, family and dignitaries drawn from different walks of life gathered to celebrate the nation’s foremost shipping mogul, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, who clocked 71 on Friday 11^th February 2022.

The event which held at Edo Hotel in Benin City was a three-prong celebration that also witnessed the launch of Ogbeifun’s Autobiography- titled, “Not Always Easy- My Voyage to Obscurity’ and Endowment of Greg Ogbeifun Institute of Maritime Technology in Edo state Polytechnic.

Among the milieu of dignitaries that graced the occasion was Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi; Former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi; Chairperson, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote; former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion; former Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hassan Bello; and business associates too numerous to mention.

With each taking turns to extol the virtues of Engr. Ogbeifun, the dignitaries all admitted that the renowned shipping mogul was a model of patriotism and philanthropy who has touched countless lives through employment and contributed to the growth and development of the nation’s maritime industry.

In his goodwill message, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, eulogized Ogbeifun for his contribution to the development of the state’s education sector especially with the setting up of the Greg Ogbeifun Institute of Maritime Technology.

He wished Ogbeifun many more years of good health in order to continually impact on the people.

“I can’t tell you tonight the amount of contribution this my brother has made in our state since I became governor. What is outstanding in Ogbeifun is his interest in education, what he has done in the Edo polytechnic is there for us all to see and how he has been working to make Edo part of the blue economy in Nigeria.

“I appreciate in particular your magnanimity for the endowment of the Greg Ogbeifun Institute of Maritime Technology. The autobiography titled, “Not Always Easy- My Voyage to Obscurity’ is apt and will inspire individuals with the willingness to take bold steps, withstand adversity and bounce back from difficult life circumstances. As you share your wealth of experience, you’re furthering your numerous positive impacts on this generation and beyond,” he said.

In his remarks, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, lauded various investments initiatives of Ogbeifun in Port Harcourt and Edo State, which he said has helped in creating jobs for the people.

He said, “I have known Greg personally first before I met him in my official capacity as Minister. I was once his governor in Rivers State even though he wants you to know he is from Edo. But I have always told him whether you are from Edo or not, he can’t deny that the money he is investing in Edo came from Port Harcourt.

“One thing I will thank Greg for is his investment in Port Harcourt that created jobs for us. I’m sure the investment he is making now in Port Harcourt at Onne seaport would not have been approved if he had taken it to Edo. He got some advantages when I became Minister because I told him ‘Because you invest in port Harcourt, anything you want me to do for you, I will do that to encourage him to invest in Port Harcourt’.

“You should thank God for the grace to celebrate 71 years and I will join you in appealing to God to give you more years so that the grace will abound.”

Also speaking at the event, Chief Adebayo Sarumi praised Ogbeifun who he described as a man of substance, quintessential, humane, reliable and an achiever.

While congratulating Ogbeifun on the achievement of attaining the age of 71, Sarumi urged him not to rest on his oars as reward for hard work is more work and more impact.

“I feel proud to associate with you these last 17 years. Thank you for your passion, for your resilience and your indefatigability as evidenced by the three-prong celebration, the birthday celebration, the launching of your life’s story and the beautiful give back to your state, the Institute of Marine Technology,” he said.

For the Chairperson of STOAN, Princess Vicky Haastrup, Ogbeifun is a role model in the maritime industry.

“I haven’t seen a man who has had tremendous achievement like you have in the sector. Engr. Greg, I want to be like you. You can always call me for support for the endowment of your institute,” Haastrup told the celebrant.

For Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, attaining the age of 71 is such a feat which he feels good about. At 71, he is not only aging gracefully but has fulfilled many of his dreams, becoming an inspiring icon to many.