Indigenous shipowners on Saturday paid a condolence visit to the family of the former President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), late Captain Niyi Adeyemo.
Adeyemo, who was also a founding member of the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) and a former board member of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) died last month at the age of 84.
Founding President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo, who led the shipowners on the visit, said Adeyemo fondly called Chief Priest lived his life for the development of the nation’s shipping sector.
Jolapamo described the deceased as a humble man who supported and persistently fought for the course of indigenous shipowners during his lifetime, saying he would be greatly missed.
“He is the shining light that we know from the beginning. His life revolves around shipping development in this nation. He is the one that never gets tired. Some of us got tired but he is the one that never gave up hope that things will be better. He is one of the foremost master mariners that we have and know.
“He is so humble to a fault. We call him as if we are using a messenger in the association and he is behind us everywhere. When the association was trying to find its feet that we have to travel round the world, he was there with us giving us the support. We will miss him. His death has brought me out again. Because I have given up before now. But to know that he will not see us still fighting, I have to come out. We have to do something about that beginning from now at least to honour him,” he said.
Also speaking, President of Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mkgeorge Onyung, said the deceased distinguished himself and contributed to the growth of the industry.
He said it is time for shipowners to unite and speak in the same voice to forge a common front so as to be able to tackle the challenges facing the shipping industry in Nigeria.
“I was shocked to know that we have a silent Chief priest in the maritime industry that distinguished himself and has grown so many grandchildren that he doesn’t know and some of them are still trying to find their feet in the industry. Death can take anyone at any time so it is important we dust up all our effort to make the industry the best.
“In the days I have come into the industry, I never had close interaction with him although I have come to know that it is time for us to sing in the same voice and SOAN has extended the olive branch and with Baba’s death, we must come out,” he said.
A member of the deceased family, Linus Olem, expressed appreciation to the shipowners for the condolence visit.
He informed that the funeral rites of Captain Adeyemo would be held from Thursday Sept. 23rd and Friday September 24, 2021.
