The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN has paid glowing tribute to one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s maritime industry, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, as he celebrates his 75th birthday.
The President of MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, said this in a congratulatory message on Wednesday in Lagos.
Bivbere described Prince Shittu as “a colossus who bestrides the maritime industry like an octopus,” lauding his visionary leadership, pioneering reforms, and selfless service to the nation’s maritime community.
“Prince Shittu’s name has become synonymous with integrity, courage, and innovation, qualities that defined his long and impactful career as a customs broker and industry leader.
“As former President of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents, ANLCA, Prince Shittu is widely credited with repositioning the association and restoring its dignity, unity, and relevance during his transformative eight-year tenure.
“Under his leadership, ANLCA evolved from a fragmented professional body into a formidable voice in maritime advocacy, promoting the welfare of customs brokers while fostering collaboration with government agencies and terminal operators”, he said.
Bivbere recalled that Prince Shittu’s tenure witnessed groundbreaking initiatives that improved professional standards and strengthened compliance within the freight forwarding sector.
He added that his emphasis on ethics and transparency remained a guiding principle for many practitioners today.
“Beyond his role in ANLCA, Prince Shittu has been a consistent voice for industry reforms aimed at improving trade facilitation, reducing bottlenecks, and enhancing operational efficiency at Nigeria’s ports.
“Colleagues and contemporaries describe him as a man of discipline and conviction, one who never shied away from speaking truth to power when it came to protecting the interest of maritime stakeholders.
“MARAN praised his mentorship of younger professionals, noting that many of today’s successful customs brokers and freight forwarders owe their growth to his guidance and encouragement”, he added.
Bivbere also commended Prince Shittu’s entrepreneurial spirit as the Chief Executive Officer of Skelas Group of Companies, a conglomerate that had contributed significantly to job creation and economic growth within and beyond the maritime sector.
According to the statement, Prince Shittu’s journey from a young customs agent to an industry icon exemplifies resilience, hard work, and the belief that integrity remains the best currency in business.
“Prince Shittu’s leadership style was rooted in fairness, vision, and the courage to make tough decisions. He built bridges across divides, uniting professionals under a common goal of progress and respectability”, he further said.
As he turns 75, MARAN expressed profound appreciation for his unwavering support to the association and the media community, describing him as a friend of the media who always valued truthful and balanced reportage.
The association prayed for continued health, wisdom, and strength for Prince Shittu, wishing him many more years of impactful service to the maritime industry and humanity at large.
“Prince Olayiwola Shittu remains a beacon of excellence whose footprints will continue to inspire generations of maritime professionals”, Bivbere concluded.
Photo: Prince Olayiwola Shittu, former National President of ANLCA.
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