By Oluyinka Onigbinde & Joshua Yousouph
The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) is set to confer its prestigious title of Patron on the President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry and humanitarian causes.
The investiture will form part of the highlights of the 2026 MARAN Maritime Annual Lecture (MAMAL), the association’s flagship programme, scheduled to hold at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ezisi, a veteran freight forwarder with decades of experience in the industry, has earned recognition within the maritime community for his contributions to the freight forwarding profession and his advocacy on issues affecting stakeholders in the sector.
Beyond his professional activities, the NAGAFF president is also noted for his philanthropic initiatives and support for individuals and communities.
President of MARAN, Oluyinka Onigbinde, said the decision to confer the honour on Ezisi was driven by his record of service, professionalism and contributions to the development of the maritime sector.
Onigbinde said the elevation was also aimed at strengthening the relationship between MARAN and stakeholders in the freight forwarding subsector and the wider maritime industry.
He said MAMAL had over the years evolved into an important platform for dialogue on critical issues confronting the Nigerian maritime industry, bringing together policymakers, regulators, government officials, industry leaders, academics and other stakeholders.
The annual lecture is expected to attract senior government officials, bureaucrats, maritime regulators, industry operators, members of the academia and other key stakeholders.
MARAN said the investiture of Ezisi would underscore its commitment to recognising individuals who have distinguished themselves through service and whose contributions promote professionalism, collaboration and sustainable development in the maritime sector.
The association added that his elevation as Patron would further deepen engagement between maritime journalists and key industry stakeholders while providing an opportunity to acknowledge his contributions to the sector.
