Blue economy: Marine engineers honour its chairman, Eferebo, Wadada, Gbenga Daniels, others

By Philip Nyam, Abuja

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Engr. Sylvanus Eferebo has been honoured for his human capital development and contribution to engineering and national development.

Also honoured alongside the NIMENA chairman were the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Nasarawa state, Senator Ahmed Wadada, former Ogun state governor, Senator Gbenga Daniels and media personality, Dr. Reuben Abati of Arise Television.

Eferebo, who is the chairman of COREN’s Sector Committee on Engineering Regulation, Monitoring and Enforcement for the maritime sector and also the Board Chairman, Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD) received the awards presented by Mage Start Magazine in Abuja.

According to the organisers, his recognition reflects his leadership and contributions across engineering, human capital development and philanthropy. Somatrix Marine Limited was also described as one of Nigeria’s leading engineering companies.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Eferebo highlighted the vast opportunities available in Nigeria’s blue economy, noting that the sector could become a major driver of economic growth if properly developed and managed.

He called for an appropriate policy framework to support the effective operation of the blue economy, stressing the importance of creating an enabling environment for maritime businesses and related industries to thrive.

‘The blue economy encompasses economic activities associated with oceans, seas, inland waterways and other aquatic resources. In Nigeria, the sector offers opportunities in shipping, fisheries, marine transport, shipbuilding, coastal tourism and other maritime-related industries’, he stated.

Explaining the criteria for the awards, the Executive Producer of the Megastar Man of the Decade Awards, Dr. Adeniyi Ifetayo, said the selection process focused on sustained impact over a ten-year-period rather than achievements recorded in a single year.

“We don’t just consider what they have done in the last one year, but we put into consideration what they have done in a decade — 10 years,” Ifetayo said.

He explained that the organizers assessed the contributions of the nominees to their communities and the wider society, including the impact of their work in both the public and private sectors.

According to him, the awards seek to recognize individuals whose activities have produced a positive social impact over the years, adding that only a limited number of deserving personalities that could be reached and celebrated during the event.

In a goodwill message, Senator Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, said the theme of the 2026 awards was particularly relevant as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Daniel emphasised the need for leaders to place citizens at the centre of their decisions, urging public officeholders and other stakeholders to prioritise the interests and welfare of the people.

The 2026 edition of the awards was held under the theme, “The Road to 2027: Citizens, Stakeholders, and the Democracy We Choose.” The theme focused attention on citizens’ participation, stakeholder responsibility and the future of democratic governance as the country prepares for another electoral cycle.

As the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Somatrix Marine Limited, Dr. Eferebo leads a multidisciplinary marine engineering company specializing in marine consultancy, ship design, marine surveys, construction management, research and development, and other maritime-related services. The company also has operations extending to South Africa.

Under his leadership, Somatrix Marine Limited has expanded its activities across marine technology, manufacturing, distribution, outsourcing and consultancy, positioning itself as an integrated provider of marine solutions in Nigeria.