The Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) will honour the Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr. Pius Akutah, President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, Port Manager, Rivers Port Complex, Mrs Kenechi Okezie, Kaduna Inland Dry Port (KIDP) and four others.
The awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry and related sectors, will be presented at the MARCON Conference on Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
Akutah will receive the MARCON Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly in the area of port economic regulation and institutional development.
Bunu will be honoured with the MARCON Labour Leader of the Year Award for his leadership of maritime workers, commitment to their welfare and contributions to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Okezie, the Rivers Port Manager, will receive the MARCON Port Management & Operational Excellence Award in recognition of her contribution to port management and operational excellence.
KIDP will be presented with the MARCON Best Dry Port in Africa Award for its contribution to inland port operations, cargo logistics and trade facilitation.
Hajia Bola Muse will receive the MARCON Maritime Woman of Impact Award, while High Chief Dr Michael Orobosa Ubogu will be honoured with the MARCON Maritime Entrepreneurship Excellence Award in recognition of their contributions to the maritime industry.
Micura Services Limited is to be awarded MARCON Most Safety Conscious Dock Labour Employer for its commitment to workplace safety, employee welfare, operational discipline and best practices in dock labour management.
Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abu Lucky will also be honoured with the MARCON Economic Protection and Anti-Smuggling Excellence Award in recognition of his role in economic protection and the fight against smuggling of petrol.
Chairman of the MARCON Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the awards were designed to recognise individuals and organisations whose work is contributing to the development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Ogbuokiri said the recipients reflects the breadth of contributions required to strengthen the sector, ranging from regulation, port management and labour leadership to safety, entrepreneurship, trade facilitation and economic protection.
He said MARCON considers the recognition particularly significant as maritime stakeholders converge to discuss sustainable fishing and the wider development of Nigeria’s maritime economy.
The conference, with the theme, “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods,” is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, maritime security agencies, fishing industry operators, researchers, maritime training institutions, coastal communities and other stakeholders.
MARCON said the conference and award presentation are part of its continued efforts to promote constructive engagement and recognise contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria’s maritime sector.
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