The Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO has joined its voice to the stream of condolences that have been pouring in to the family of late Engineer Olu Akinsoji, a former Rector of the Academy, whose death was announced on Thursday.
According to AMANO, in a statement signed by its President; Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa, Akinsoji “was known by most of us as the sage who set the foundation for the great works being witnessed at the Academy today”.
Mr Seun Akinsoji, the son of late Engr. Olu Akinsoji has also officially announced the passing of his father.
A statement signed by him on behalf of the family on Thursday reads: “ For and on behalf of the Akinsoji family, I wish to formally announce the demise of our dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle – Engr. Ibukun. Olu Ákinsoji, which occurred on Tuesday 16th January, 2024.
While recalling late Akinsoji’s records at the academy, the alumni body noted in its tributes that: “The Rector charted the pathway for our great institution, leaving an indelible footprint for his successors to expand on. He was a great man who lived a life worth celebrating, having exuded remarkably leadership qualities that majority of us emulated and it gladdens our heart that his light will continue to shine through us, and other lives he impacted”.
“As we mourn his passing with his family and the entire nation, we are not oblivious of the fact that the legacy of a man is not measured by the number of years he lived, but by the impacts, he made, the love he gave, the lives he touched and the footprints he left behind for others to follow.
Thus, we in AMANO would not just sorrow at this period, but also commemorate his memories by reflecting on the lessons he taught, the stories he shared, the laughter, the joy and every other unique but interesting things he did”, AMANO stated.
The family also recalled that, “Engr. Akinsoji was Nigeria’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Kingdom; former Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Former Government Inspector of Shipping, the brain behind the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
“He also developed the principles of the Nigerian Cabotage Act. He retired as a Director of Shipping Services, Federal Ministry of Transport. He was an active and very important member of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council.”
The statement from the family also disclosed that funeral details would be announced later, while they solicit prayers for the family.
