Story by Dili Utomi.
The need to shine the spotlight on leaders who are well deserving of honour prompted the Searchlight Media, the publishers of Searchlight Global Magazine to organise the 7th edition of its Summit which had the theme: “Celebrating Visionary Leaders Driving Economic, Social and Institutional Transformation”.
The Summit which held at the Presken Hotel along Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja over the weekend had a lot of Maritime heavyweights and some representative of others in attendance. Ms. Temilade Ogunniyi chaired the event which also had Chief Tochukwu Ezisi NAGAFF president ably represented by their NAGAFF general secretary, Emeka Godfrey Nwosu.
The convener of the Summit is the irrepressible Lola Adeshokan, part of her opening address says “This year, we recognise a distinguished class of awardees: men and women who have contributed immensely to maritime development, logistics transformation, creative industry expansion, public administration, community development, technology advancement, and more. Your presence here today signifies your role as catalysts of positive change—leaders whose actions reflect commitment to economic growth, institutional strengthening, and social harmony.
The chairman of the occassion in her speech opined that the day’s topic “reminds us that meaningful advancement does not happen by chance. It is the result of deliberate action guided by purpose, resilience, and an inclusive mindset. Whether in government, business, civil society, or community-based organisations, visionary leadership is the catalyst that unlocks new opportunities, strengthens institutions, and ensures that growth is both sustainable and equitable”.
In his paper titled “the Roles of Maritime Workers in National Development”, the president of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi who was represented by the Union’s head of Media, John Ikemefuna examined “the centrality of labour unity to institutional strength within Nigeria’s maritime sector, analysing how cohesive labour systems contribute to national development, economic competitiveness, and sustainable port operations”.
The paper also highlighted the human dimension of maritime work, emphasising welfare, inclusion, training, and collective bargaining as critical pillars for institutional resilience.
He concluded that Labour unity is a fundamental pillar of institutional strength. In the maritime sector, where national revenue, trade, and security converge, the role of workers is not peripheral—it is central. Their unity fosters organisational discipline, enhances national resilience, and drives socio-economic transformation.
“As we honour leaders today, we must not overlook the everyday maritime workers whose hands, skills, and sacrifices keep the national economy alive”. He noted
Mr. Emeka Godfrey Nwosu who represented the president of NAGAFF presented a paper on Trade Facilitation: Unlocking Growth.
He opined that Trade is the lifeblood of economies. But its efficiency depends not only on what we produce, but on how smoothly goods move across borders. Simplified customs, harmonized regulations, and digital innovations reduce costs, improve competitiveness, and open opportunities—especially for developing nations.
He said that for our society to have what he calls a transformed leadership,
– We need visionary leaders who embrace innovation and digital tools.
– We need ethical leaders who fight corruption and build trust.
– We need inclusive leaders who empower young professionals, women, and small enterprises.
Dr. Oluwasegun Musa was the keynote speaker and he was represented by Marc Onuchi who in his presentation said “as we celebrate these remarkable individuals, we also issue a clarion call: Nigeria needs more visionary leaders. Leaders who listen deeply but act boldly. Leaders who combine emotional intelligence with intellectual rigor. Leaders who build bridges, not barriers. Leaders who prize excellence over expediency, and long-term impact over short-term applause”.
His words “Our young people which constitute 70% of our population, are hungry for this kind of leadership. Our private sector, the largest in Africa, thrives on this kind of leadership. Our global reputation hinges on this leadership. And our future demands it”.
He concludes that Development is not spontaneous; it is engineered. Transformation is not a miracle; it is a product of disciplined leadership. “As
we celebrate these leaders today, we ignite a deeper truth: Nigeria’s greatest resource is not oil, gas, or minerals. Nigeria’s greatest resource is visionary leadership. To every leader being recognised today, we salute you. Your work is lighting the path for millions. Your courage is shaping institutions. Your vision is strengthening the economy. Your impact is rewriting Nigeria’s story. You are the evidence that Nigeria’s best days are not behind us, they are ahead of us”.
The event ended with the awarding of many leaders within the maritime space .
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