By Frank Odinukaeze
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade (Prince) Adewale Adeyanju has joined millions of other Nigerians , government agencies, individuals and other stakeholders to pour tribute to the late maritime amazon, Barrister Margret Onyenma Orakwusi,who passed on few days ago.
According to a statement emanating from the Maritime Union, and signed by the Head, Media Officer of the Union, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the Union noted that the news of the demise of
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Barrister Margaret Onyema- Orakwusi, was received as a rude shock, not only to the Union, but also to the Maritime Industry.
Part of the statement reads, “Mrs Orakwusi, was a very strong advocate of the feminine gender who believed in the ideology of women inclusiveness in all facets of human endeavour, most especially in the Maritime Sector, where she once held sway as President of Trawler Owners Association of Nigeria. She was also instrumental for the acquisition of terminal for fishing trawlers”.
“Barrister Orakwusi did not stop at that, as she went further to agitate for a special joint Naval and Maritime Security Patrol Force cum the supervision of the packaging and marketing of the nation’s fish amongst Trawler Owners, ushering in a means of standardizing the fishing business in Nigeria. This singular dynamic input brought about the acceptability of Nigerian fish in the global market”.
As an advocate of women inclusiveness in the maritime sector, Mrs Orakwusi encouraged women tutored and mentored them into the fishing industry; a feat she achieved during her life time.
She had however, served in various designations in the maritime industry as she was Chairperson, Planning Committee of the Nigerian International Expo And Exhibition (NIMAREX) in 2014; also a Chairperson, Nigerian Shipowners Forum amongst others.
Barrister Orakwusi, indeed was an Amazon of the female gender initiative, a rare gem, who touched the heart of the industry by infusing in women alongside the men folks. She was an epitome of motherhood who believed in equity, fairness and justice; little wonder, she is being missed by all and sundry for the unique legacies she has left behind worth of emulation.
She will remain indelible in the sands of time and her loving memory will linger on in the hearts of good men, particularly in the sector where she transformed many lives for the betterment of the society.