One of Nigeria’s foremost master mariners, Capt. Solomon Abiodun Omoteso is dead.
Omoteso died Monday after a protracted illness.
He was born December 24, 1943, in Mopa, Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Omoteso attended King Edward VII Nautical School in London for his pre-sea training from 1963 to 1964.
He did maritime courses and obtained Class I Master Mariner Certificate of Competence in Liverpool. He had his practical sea training with Elder Depster Line from 1963 to 1968 and the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) in 1984.
He held a Class 1 (Master Mariner) Certificate of Competence, 1976 and Diploma in International Labour Organization (ILO) Port Workers Development Programme 2003.
He was a facilitator during the International Maritime Organization (IMO) preparatory meetings on the establishment of Port State Control for West and Central African in 1996; facilitator for the establishment of African Maritime Pilots Association in Dakar, Senegal 2010 and Organised African Manning and Training Conference in Abuja 2005 and Ghana 2009.
He served as Acting Managing Director of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line
(NNSL) in 1990.
(NNSL) in 1990.
In 1992, Omoteso voluntarily retired from the NNSL. Between July 1992 and 2001 he was the Managing Director of East West Coast Marine Services Limited – a maritime firm engaged in shipping, agency, consultancy and international ship chandling.
He consulted for several organisations including the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron; Nigerian Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Nigeria Ports Authority and the defunct Joint Maritime Labour
Industrial Council (JOMALIC).
Industrial Council (JOMALIC).
He was a Training Consultant to Lagos Channel Management and Landfall Towage Nigeria Limited and Chairman Technical Committee of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM).
His death was confirmed by President of NAMM, Capt. Ade Olopoenina.
