The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola on Saturday said Architect Ferdinand Agu, a former Director General of the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA) left indelible marks in the country’s maritime sector.
This was contained in a press release issued in Lagos by Edward Osagie, NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations. Osagie disclosed that the NIMASA DG said this during a condolence visit to the family of the late NMA boss.
According to the release,Mobereola described the late Agu as one that has contributed to the development of the maritime industry in Nigeria . He recalled his contributions in the areas of positioning Nigeria for maritime development by initiating and commencing the construction of the Nigerian Maritime Resource Center and ensuring the country was recognised as a complaint country in terms of meeting the International Maritime Organisation requirements for human capital.
He expressed deep condolences during his visit to the families of the late Architect Ferdinand Agu, former Director General of the National Maritime Authority (NMA) whose contributions in and out of the office were viewed as invaluable.
Osagie wrote : “Mobereola remarked that Agu’s passing a significant loss to the Nigerian maritime industry, acknowledging his contributions and influence in the sector.
“This was just as the family announced that the internment of the late NMA DG, Architect Ferdinand Agu, will take place on August 2, 2024. The obsequies will begin on July 23 in Abuja and will conclude with an outing service on August 4.
“Dr. Mobereola, who led a NIMASA delegation on the visit to late Agu’s family, in a statement on his official X handle @MobereolaD described the deceased as a man who left indelible marks in the nation’s maritime space while serving as DG of the NMA and continued to selflessly contribute when called upon long after he left office.
Mobereola added that Agu’s achievements in the defunct NMA contributed to the success story of NIMASA in many invaluable ways.
“The NIMASA DG recalled that under Agu’s leadership, the NMA led Nigeria to be included in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) White List of countries compliant with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW).
“He also eulogized him for conceptualizing and commencing the construction of the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre in Kirikiri, Lagos, which today serves many strategic and critical purposes in advancing the NIMASA mandate
“Mobereola said Agu deserves great recognition for the facility that today houses the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and other relevant departments and units of the Agency.
Architect Ferdinand Agu, a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), was Director General of the National Maritime Authority from 2000 to 2005”
