Public Sector Turnaround Expert, Dr Dakuku Peterside has described the shocking demise of maritime lawyer and shipping magnate, Barrister (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi  as a  loss that will create a big vacuum in Nigeria’s maritime sector.

By Ovie Edomi

Dr Dakuku Peterside, immediate past director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), while commiserating with  Onyema-Orakwusi family, children and loved ones, prayed for the fortitude that will enable them to bear the great loss.

He described the late Barrister (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi as an authority in maritime law and the fishing sub-sector. In his words, “She was a notable and accomplished shipping magnate and maritime lawyer. This is a great loss to the maritime community, especially the fishing sub-sector”. Furthermore, he noted ” Her demise will be felt by her associates and the maritime community. She contributed immensely to the growth and development of the maritime industry. She was an inspiration to a lot of women who saw her as a star in a male-dominated maritime sector. She puts her heart and determination into every endeavour she embarked upon.”

 

Recalling his further encounters with Barrister (Mrs) Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi Dr Dakuku Peterside noted “When I served as DG/CEO of NIMASA, she played a key advisory role in the reform of maritime regulations. She showed a deep understanding of the interface between business at a practical level and maritime regulation and I appreciate her for all her advice. I could always count on her for dispassionate opinions on issues that required attention and direction; she showed an enormous grasp of issues within the sector,” he stressed.

It would be recalled that a statement from the family explained that Barrister Onyema-Orakwusi died after a brief illness on April 28th 2023. She was the Chairman, of the ship owners forum, former Chairmen of, the Nigerian Shipping Trawlers Association, and maritime lawyer amongst others. Since the family announced her death, it has been tributes and testimonials galore from maritime stakeholders and friends. This certainly may be why Dakuku Peterside described her demise as a great loss to the maritime community in Nigeria and beyond

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