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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, has received an Award for Distinguished Leadership in Logistics and Transport from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria.
According to the Head of Public Relations of the Academy, Domo Umoekpe, who received the award for the Rector, the award was presented during the 2025 National Conference and Awards Ceremony of the Institute in Lagos.
The award was in recognition of his outstanding contributions to maritime education, capacity development in maritime education, training in Nigeria’s premier maritime and training centre in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
Umoekpe, in a statement, said the President of CILT, Nigeria, Mrs Mfon Usoro, highlighted the Institute’s strategic partnership with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria and commended Dr. Okonna for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to repositioning the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a centre of excellence in maritime education in Africa.
“Dr. Okonna has shown exceptional leadership and professionalism in ensuring that the Academy continues to meet international standards. His passion and zeal for the development of the Academy is worthy of emulation,” Mrs Usoro stated.
She said Okonna shortly after receiving the award expressed appreciation to CILT Nigeria for the honour, describing it as a call to continue striving for excellence in his service to the maritime industry and the nation in general
“This recognition is deeply appreciated. It is a call to a higher responsibility. This award reflects the collective effort of the management, staff, students and cadets of the Academy, whose dedication continues to drive our progress.
“It means that what we do quietly is seen and valued. We’re ready to continue doing more for CILT, the industry and the country as a whole.”
Okonna, a seasoned maritime scholar and administrator, has dedicated over 30 years to the service of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
“As a lecturer, he rose through the ranks, before his appointment as the acting Rector.
“Under his watch in just 10 months, the Academy has achieved quite significant milestones, his leaderships has been marked by extensive reforms in firming up on training standards, infrastructure renewal, upgrading of teaching facilities, installation of transformers, restoration of public power supply to the Academy’s campus and environs, pursuance of ISO Certification for the Academy, development of conditions and scheme of service, development of courses on port state control, enhancement of staff and cadet welfare and many others.”
