Were it not for his demise last week, Otunba Kunle Folarin would have been 82 years old, that is, in a less than two weeks. It is not that he was too young to die. No! But his activism and his all-round involvement in developmental issues in all facets of the Nigerian maritime industry blinded all of us to the fact that he was ageing.
From available records, the maritime industry sage is probably the last of his close contemporaries still standing. To put in about 50 years of one’s life in a particular industry qualifies Otunba for all the accolades that he has been receiving since the news of his death was broken by the Publisher of this Newspaper.
Considering our relationship, breaking the news wasn’t a pleasant one. Otunba’s death was not the usual Breaking News, that journalists want to beat their colleagues to. His death was brought to the knowledge of maritime industry stakeholders, because it could not be hidden. It was too big to be kept as a secret. Doing that would be an eternal disservice to a man whose footprints are visible in all sphere. It can also not be hidden for long. It had to be told.
The source of the information about Otunba Kunle Folarin’s death, also exemplifies his in-work and out-work relationships with people. Even while the industry was oblivious of the death of the colossus, an ex-staff of the Nigeria Port Consultative Council (identity withheld), who happened to be our mutual friend was the one who dropped the bombshell on November 10, that was two days after Otunba had passed on!
In his tribute which he posted on Facebook, he wrote: “RIP, Godfather.
Eventually, we lost him. The Doyen of Nigerian Maritime, Otunba OlaKunle Folarin. No one exists forever. He couldn’t tell me goodbye”. He probably didn’t tell anyone goodbye. Such opportunities of an eternal goodbye are rare and very painful.
But, to live in the heart of those we love is to live forever! The outpouring of tributes to the man who has been described variously by stakeholders after his death, means that he was really loved and he would be missed by many.
For all the reforms that the Nigerian maritime industry has witnessed, Otunba’s inputs are very glaring. He was very instrumental to the birth, survival and eventual transmutation from JODLIC to JOMALIC and to NIMASA.
When the ports were been concessioned by the Federal Government, his expertise crucial. And even after the ports were concessioned, albeit without an enabling Act, and there was need to enact a new set of legislations, Otunba’s inputs were sought after by the National Assembly. How can I forget the all-night work on every detail and the clause-by-clause consideration of the Port and Harbour Bill at the NICON Hotel. I was privileged to be a part of that elite team that worked that night to birth a new law for the nation’s seaports. You did tell me on a few occasion that, it was regrettable that those efforts were killed by the powers-that-be.
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In the battle to ensure that the Nigerian Shippers Council was given a new lease of life, Otunba Kunle Folarin was an unseen hand. Today, the Council is the Economic Regulator of the Nigerian port system.
If one asks the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, his intervention in issues pertaining to seafarers and dock workers’ welfare is indelible, even till his last days. He was such a fair-minded industry leader that both employers and employees trusted to argue their cases without bias.
Otunba Kunle Folarin was more known as the Chairman of PCC. But, he was more than that, he was also the Chairman of National Seafarers Welfare Board.
His impact in the success stories of many maritime journalists is unparalleled. Otunba was one resource person that accepted the invitation at the minimum notice. I can’t recall him turning down any request by maritime media associations to impact knowledge. He listened to individuals and groups; he impacted deeply in the depth of knowledge of maritime journalism. Otunba was also a member, Board of Trustee of Maritime Industry Advocacy Initiative (MAIN).
Otunba Olakunle Ken Folarin was a friend to all. Ask maritime lawyers, ask maritime educational institutions, ask the various maritime bodies. They will confirm his impact. He was indeed an Advocate Without Bias, who lived for the industry.
Perhaps, the industry can find a way to immortalize him.
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