Bashir Jamoh, the director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), paid a condolence visit to the home of the Late Margaret Orakwusi in Ikoyi, on Monday.
Orakwusi died on April 28th, 2023 after a brief illness as announced via a statement by Ezinma Ileka, Binyelum, and Ody Orakwusi, children of the deceased.
Jamoh described Orakwusi as someone who staked her all for the good of the nation’s shipping industry, even as he lamented that her demise is a huge loss to the maritime sector and the nation at large.
“Orakwusi was a leader and an industry stakeholder extraordinaire who truly staked her all for the good of the nation’s maritime industry. She was humble and easy to talk to. She was brilliant and ever-bubbling with insightful counsel, always on the frontlines and willing to contribute.”
“Her every move and utterance was well-intentioned. Barely asking but always giving. Singlehandedly taking on the impossible. Margaret Orakwusi was loved by all. Oh! What a loss. May her memory be a blessing that inspires us all,” he said.
Orakwusi was an amazon in the nation’s maritime sector, playing numerous strategic roles over the years including Chairperson of the Nigerian Ship-owners Forum; first female President of Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) 2008 – 2011; pioneer co-Chairman of Nigerian Fisheries Laboratory, a joint venture between the Private Sector (NITOA) and the Federal Government (Ministry of Agriculture) established to certify seafood products exported from Nigeria.
She was also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association 1985 to 2023; Member, Board of Trustees, the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) 2014 to 2023; 1st Vice-President of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association 2014; Chairman of Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2013 – 2014; Council Member, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping 2012 – 2023; among others.
