The Managing Director of the National inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, on Saturday led a delegation of the Management on a condolence visit to the family of late Captain Oyeniyi Adeyemo.
Capt. Adeyemo was a former President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) as well as a former board member of NIWA.
In a brief remark, the NIWA MD said that the Management decided on the visit as soon as the news got to the office, because of the service and genuine support that the late Capt. Adeyemo offered as a professional mariner.
He expressed NIWA’s desire and readiness to be involved in the planning and all the programmes that would take place with regards to the funeral of the late Capt. Adeyemo.
“He has always desired to see us succeed as an organisation. So, when they told us of his passing on a few days back, we felt very bad. But we think of it that death is one thing nobody can challenge; it is an exclusive of God, birth and death.
“God has released every other thing to us, but the knowledge of birth and death remain an exclusive of God. He has refused to give it to anybody. So, when we heard, we said that the best to do is to come and commensurate with the family.
“We have come to say that we are with you, we want to be a part of whatever is being done; the burial arrangement. You should feel free to get us involved, communicate to us and keep us posted on the programme.
“What we have done now is just to come and let you know that we have been informed that Papa has passed on. We will be there to participate in the burial, because it is part of us. He is one of us, so we can’t be at the back seat when his burial is being planned and executed.
“So, we want to thank you for the reception we have received. We didn’t expect anything less, because we were confident that we were coming to our house,” Dr. Moghalu said.
Responding on behalf of the family, Mrs Doyin Ajakaiye, daughter of Capt. Adeyemo, thanked the NIWA management for honouring their father by paying a physical visit of condolence.
She used the opportunity to recall how passionate her late father was about his work as a mariner, and one who was fulfilled serving his fatherland and serving humanity too.
Her words: “Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say “thank you all” for coming up this way. We didn’t expect it, I must say. I am the only one in around in Lagos.
“Thank you for your offer to participate in the burial arrangement. We are very appreciative of that.
“Growing up, we knew daddy as a mariner; that was his life. If he was not doing a family or community work, then Captain was Captain.
“Even when he was getting old and we felt that he should reduce the volume of work he was doing, he kept on with “Oh, I am going to Lokoja, I am going to Abuja.” That was just him. He was very passionate about working as a mariner and he did so with all his heart.
“Thank you for still honouring my dad even when he has passed on. We are truly grateful for this honour given to him.”
Present with the NIWA MD were Mr. Ibrahim Danladi, General Manager Legal; Lagos Area Manager, Mrs Sarat Braimah. Also present were President of the NAMM, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, and Engr. Emmanuel Ilori, Assistant- Chaplain of the Mission to Seafarer, Lagos.
