Platform Reporters Honours Maritime Icons Folarin, Onyema-Orakwusi, Two Others with Posthumous Awards

Platform Reporters, in a moving tribute to some of Nigeria’s most distinguished maritime personalities, has conferred posthumous awards on four late industry icons in recognition of their outstanding contributions to mentorship, youth development and the growth of the nation’s maritime sector.

The awards were presented during the 10th Anniversary edition of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference held last week at the Mission to Seafarers Conference Hall in Apapa, Lagos, bringing together industry leaders, students, academics, regulators and other stakeholders.

Those honoured were the late Otunba Kunle Folarin, the late Barrister Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, the late Engineer Olu Akinsoji and the late Honourable Dr Chris Asoluka, all celebrated for their remarkable legacies and enduring impact on Nigeria’s maritime industry.

The award presentation emerged as one of the major highlights of the landmark conference, which marked a decade of promoting youth engagement, mentorship and leadership development within the maritime sector.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi, described the four award recipients as exceptional mentors and visionaries whose contributions continue to shape generations of maritime professionals.

According to him, the decision to immortalise the late industry leaders through the awards was informed by their unwavering commitment to human capital development and their consistent support for initiatives aimed at empowering young people within the maritime industry.

Before the awards were presented, participants observed a minute’s silence in honour of the departed icons, creating an atmosphere of reflection and gratitude as attendees paid tribute to their immense contributions to the sector.

Otunba Kunle Folarin was posthumously recognised as the “Nigeria Maritime Encyclopedia”, in acknowledgement of his vast knowledge and influence as a respected maritime administrator, industry leader and advocate.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost voices in Nigeria’s maritime sector, Folarin devoted several decades to capacity building and played a pivotal role in nurturing younger professionals while promoting best practices across the industry.

The late Barrister Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi received the honour of “The Maritime Jewel”, recognising her pioneering role as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished female maritime leaders.

Throughout her career, she distinguished herself through advocacy, mentorship and professional excellence, earning admiration from colleagues and stakeholders across the maritime community.

Her efforts in promoting gender inclusion and supporting the development of young professionals helped establish her as one of the industry’s most respected personalities.

Engineer Olu Akinsoji was honoured as “The Maritime Legend” in appreciation of his immense contributions to marine engineering, professional development and youth empowerment.

Stakeholders described his legacy as one defined by service, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of the maritime sector.

Similarly, the late Honourable Dr Chris Asoluka was posthumously honoured with the title of “Maritime Most Profound Eloquent Speaker”, in recognition of his exceptional public speaking abilities, intellectual depth and support for leadership development initiatives aimed at young Nigerians.

His contributions to mentorship, capacity building and national development were widely acknowledged by participants at the conference.

Stakeholders at the event described the honours as a fitting recognition for personalities whose lives and careers were devoted to building a stronger and more sustainable maritime industry.

Many attendees noted that although the four icons were no longer physically present, their ideas, values and contributions continue to influence policy discussions, professional development and youth-oriented programmes within the sector.

The awards, they said, also underscored the commitment of the AMSAY Conference to preserving the legacies of individuals who dedicated their lives to advancing maritime education, leadership and mentorship.

For many students attending the conference, the stories and achievements of the award recipients provided valuable lessons on integrity, vision, service and commitment to national development.

Responding on behalf of her family after receiving the award, Ms Somachi Asoluka, daughter of the late Dr Chris Asoluka and Chief Executive Officer of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, expressed gratitude to Platforms Communications and the organisers of the AMSAY Conference for recognising her father’s contributions.

“We are touched by this recognition and sincerely grateful to Platforms Communications and organisers of AMSAY Conference for choosing to celebrate Dr Asoluka’s contributions to youth development, mentorship, capacity-building and the advancement of Nigeria’s maritime sector,” she said.

Also expressing appreciation after receiving the posthumous honours were Barrister Binyelum Orakwusi, son of the late Barrister Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi, and Mrs Lamide Adeosun, daughter of the late Otunba Kunle Folarin.

Speaking on behalf of the Folarin family, Mrs Adeosun said her father had dedicated his life to the growth and development of the maritime industry and would have been humbled by the recognition.

“My father was a man of remarkable dedication, integrity and commitment. He had a deep love for the maritime industry and devoted much of his life to its growth and development. His work was more than a profession – it was a passion.

“He believed in excellence, valued hard work and took great pride in contributing to an industry that was so important to him. Although he is no longer with us, the values he lived by and the impact he made continue to inspire those who knew him and worked alongside him. I know he would have been humbled and grateful to receive this recognition.

“As a family, we are sincerely thankful for this honour. It means a great deal to us and serves as a reminder that his dedication and contributions have not been forgotten,” she stated.

As the ceremony drew to a close, participants commended Platform Reporters for ensuring that the legacies of Folarin, Onyema-Orakwusi, Akinsoji and Asoluka remain alive, inspiring a new generation of maritime professionals to pursue excellence and contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Nigeria’s maritime industry.