Dakuku Peterside, the former director-general (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has mourned the death of Chris Asoluka, a member of the Nigeria Chamber of Shipping Governing Board.
According to a statement released by his family, Asoluka died on Friday.
Peterside said the deceased was a “mentor supporter and adviser,” during his term as the helmsman at NIMASA, adding that Asoluka has created a huge vacuum that will take ages to fill.
He said Asoluka represented progressive thinking and was ever willing to share his thoughts on maritime matters, just as he opened his doors for mentorship to so many people.
Advertisement
“Dr Asoluka was an authority and quintessential consultant on maritime issues. I looked up to him during my time and after in NIMASA, he was ever willing to offer admonitions. His dedication to maritime development was second to none,” Peterside said.
“He contributed in diverse ways to the making of cabotage act and strengthened its implementation. He was a policy thought leader, whose ideas shaped the Nigerian maritime industry.”
Peterside, also a former federal lawmaker, further said the maritime industry has lost a major stakeholder, whose voice and opinions were widely respected beyond the shores of Nigeria.
Advertisement
He said Asoluka was a former chairman of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) and maritime development committee.
The former NIMASA DG added that the late maritime expert was also the legislative adviser in the passage of the NIMASA Act 2007, aside from other responsibilities, within and outside Nigeria.
Peterside sympathised with the family of the deceased, the people of Imo state and Nigeria over the loss of a patriot, who offered his expertise when called upon at various times in his illustrious career.
Advertisement
