Transport Minister, PCC, Ramalan others mourn
One of Nigerias highly revered Shipping personalities, the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council and the National Seafarers Welfare Board of Nigeria (NSWBN), Otunba Kunle Folarin, who died a few days ago after a brief illness.
According to an issued statement by the Special Assistant to the Transport Minister on Media and Publicity, Dr. Sam Idiagbonya, his death has sparked mourning across the nations maritime sector and entire transport industry.
Indeed, Otunba Kunle Folarins death creates a vacuum, albeit a huge one, in the repository of knowledge in maritime and port business in the nation and the African continent at large.
The Minister of Transportation, Engr. Muazu Jaji Sambo has joined the Ports Consultative Council and all maritime stakeholders in mourning Kunle Folarin.
Reacting to the news of his death, the Minister said the nation has lost a maritime repository of knowledge, an experienced maritime practitioner, a voice of the ideal, a highly cerebral gentleman and most importantly, a friend.
According to the Minister, “a lot was achieved through the ingenuity of this intellectual doyen that will further enhance the dynamics of operation in the countrys maritime sector”, and in honour of his memory, he will ensure they are brought to fruition. Every moment of his life was dedicated to improving the maritime sector, either in passing down knowledge or being a constructive critic, to ensure the ideals are upheld in the sector. He served well and lived well.
May the Almighty Allah repose his soul and grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss, the Minister added.
Meanwhile, the demise of Otunba Kunle Folarin also rattled the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) as the association concluded plans to have the erstwhile PCC boss as Co-Chairman of the upcoming MARAN @34 grand ceremony.
Speaking with newsmen on this development, the Secretary of PCC, Patrick Ezedimbu and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Seafarers Welfare Board of Nigeria, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, who both respectively described the demise of Otunba Kunle Folarin at 85 years as a massive, perhaps irreplaceable loss to the PCC and the International Maritime labour Welfare Organisations of Nigeria West and Central Africa regions.
