The Nigerian maritime sector is set to witness another epoch-making Grand Finale marking the 10th Anniversary of Face Of Maritime International (FOMI), a maritime industry Pageantry.
This year is remarkable not just because it celebrates FOMI’s decade-long achievements and impacts but because the occasion will be used to honour and celebrate the personality, virtues and achievements of a maritime amazon, gender advocate and legal luminary, Chief Mrs Jean Chiazor-Anishere -SAN as the 2025 Role Model Ambassador – Face Of Maritime International (FOMI).
The FOMI 2025 Grand Finale and 10th Anniversary which is scheduled to hold on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the cozy Villa Angelia Hotel, Ikoyi Lagos continues the tradition of using the occasion to celebrate excellence, brilliance and the contributions of one outstanding maritime woman chosen as FOMI Role Model Ambassador for the year, as well as other distinguished maritime personalities nominated for the prestigious Maritime Amazons (MA) and Maritime Doyen (MD) Awards respectively.
This year, the nominees for the Maritime Doyens Award categories include: High Chief Azubuike Ekweozor, Founder, Ide Global Movement; Mr Bolaji Sunmola,
National President, Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators; Mr. Daniel Odibe, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Deep Seaport; Mr Taiwo Mustapha, CEO, Pyramid Associates; Alhaji Saka Afolabi, CEO, Sea Cargo Ltd; Mr. Femi Olawore, CEO, Mariplus Limited and Comptroller Michael Toyin Awe,
CAC, MMA Customs Command, Ikeja.
Other nominees are Comptroller Joe Anani, CAC, PTML Customs Command; Chief Amb Afam Chukwuma, MD/CEO, International Logistics Supply Chain Ltd; Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, CAC, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A; Prince Olawale Matthew Cole, Chairman, ANLCA Tincan Chapter; Comptroller Olugbenga Otunla,
CAC, Ogun 1 Area Customs Command, Idiroko; Comptroller Chidi Nwokorie
CAC, MMIA Customs Command, Ikeja.
For the Maritime Amazons Award Category, the 2025 Nominees are: Barr Mrs Rita Uruakpa; Former Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA; Princess Chi Ezeh, MD/CEO, Muna-Sylver Nigeria Ltd; Mrs Koni Duniya, Founder/President, Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria; Mrs Nana Yakubu, MD, Tenzik Terminal; Hon Mrs Williams Olaitan, President, Ocean Ambassadors Foundation; Mrs Vivian Chimezie Azubuike, DG Nigerian Chamber Of Shipping; Capt Edidiong Akpanebe Sola Abalo, Vice President, WISTA Nigeria and Dr Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, Chairman/CEO, Women Alliance For Growth.
In a press statement issued on Friday in Lagos, the Director of Face Of Maritime International (FOMI), Mr Sylva Obasi explained that the Maritime Amazons and Doyens Award is designed to identify, celebrate and honour inspiring maritime women and men who have risen to the position of prominence after shattering the proverbial glass ceiling in their maritime careers or fields of Maritime endeavors.
According to Obasi, “The aim of this award is to tell the stories of these uncommon men and women in order to encourage the younger generation of men and women in maritime career paths”, he hinted.
On the nomination of Chief Mrs Jean Chiazor Anishere -SAN as FOMI Role Model Ambassador 2025, the FOMI Director has this to say: “FOMI has come a long way with Mrs Jean. I remember in 2016 at the maiden Audition of Face of Maritime International held at the Auditorium of the Nigerian Shippers Council, she delivered an ‘Introduction To Maritime’ Lecture to the contestants. And ever since then, she has been an ardent supporter of the FOMI brand and have also expressed willingness for WIMA to collaborate FOMI on its pet project, the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign”.
Speaking further, Obasi described Jean’s nomination as symbolic, saying, “Her nomination as FOMI Role Model Ambassador for 2025 is unique, coming at our 10th Anniversary when we can look back and tell her that the seed you joined hand to plant in 2016 has truly blossomed as a platform that inspires and encourages young women to take maritime career path”.
Also speaking about the preparedness of the organisers to host the occasion, the Chairperson, Central Planning Committee of the event and CEO of Bomarah Group, Hajia Bola Muse expressed the readiness of the organisers to host a memorable occasion in Ikoyi, the heart of Lagos.
According to her, “The event, starting with a red carpet interviews at 3pm, will feature keynote lecture, pageantry displays, comedy/dance shows and the unveiling of the Girls Go-To-Sea Trust Fund”.
“It promises to be an exciting celebration of FOMI’s decade-long journey, highlighting its impacts on the maritime industry under the theme “FOMI – A Decade of Vision, Creativity, Resilience, and Impacts”, she said, adding that FOMI’s 10 years of impacts is worth celebrating.
