MARAN HONOURS NAGAFF PRESIDENT, HIGH CHIEF TOCHUKWU EZISI AS PATRON AT MAMAL 2026
MARAN Honours NAGAFF President, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi as Patron at MAMAL 2026
By Babatunde Aremu
It was giving honour to whom it was due when on Thursday, the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos became a convergence point for maritime stakeholders as frontline freight forwarder and President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, was honoured by *maritime journalists under the umbrella of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN.
The investiture, which formed a major highlight of the *MARAN Maritime Annual Lecture, MAMAL 2026, saw the NAGAFF President conferred with the prestigious title of *Patron* of the association in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry and his commitment to humanitarian causes.
The lecture, themed:
“Nigeria Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question” brought together policymakers, regulators, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, academia and other key players in the maritime sector.
Speaking at the event, the *MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde*, said the decision to honour High Chief Ezisi was deliberate and well-deserved, given his decades of selfless service to the freight forwarding profession and the broader maritime community.
_“Today we are giving honour to whom honour is due. High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi has distinguished himself through professionalism, integrity and dedication to the growth of the maritime sector. His elevation as Patron is expected to further strengthen the relationship between MARAN and stakeholders across the freight forwarding and maritime community,”_ Onigbinde stated.
He added that MAMAL has, over the years, provided a credible platform for robust discourse on issues affecting Nigeria’s maritime industry and for recognising individuals whose contributions advance professionalism and sustainable development
High Chief Ezisi, a seasoned and accomplished freight forwarder, has spent decades building capacity, advocating for trade facilitation, and mentoring young professionals in the industry.
Beyond his professional strides, he is widely recognised for his philanthropic activities and consistent support for individuals and communities, a quality MARAN said earned him the Patron title.
According to MARAN, the honour underscores the association’s commitment to celebrating excellence and service in the maritime industry.
The event attracted top government officials, bureaucrats, maritime regulators, members of the academia, and major stakeholders across the Nigerian maritime sector.
Dignitaries at the ceremony commended High Chief Ezisi for his dedication and urged other industry players to emulate his commitment to professionalism, collaboration and nation-building.
With the investiture, MARAN said it hopes to deepen collaboration with NAGAFF and other freight forwarding associations to drive reforms and improve Nigeria’s port competitiveness.
