A respected maritime leader, mediator and business executive, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, JP, has been appointed as International Peace Advocate by the Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC),in recognition of his outstanding contributions to peacebuilding and industry development.
The prestigious appointment will be formally conferred during a special investiture ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, 29 April 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, to mark the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace.
UN-POLAC, established in 2001 and affiliated with the United Nations and UNESCO, was founded following the United Nations General Assembly’s declaration of 2001–2010 as the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence. The organisation’s mandate aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNESCO’s culture of peace initiatives, with strong emphasis on peace, security and the restoration of human dignity.
Shittu’s nomination as an International Peace Advocate reflects his longstanding commitment to resolving disputes and promoting unity within the maritime sector. As a two-time President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and Chairman of SKELAS Group, he is widely respected as a mediator between conflicting parties in the Nigerian maritime industry. His leadership role as the Local Organising Committee Chairman of the Maritime Industry Merit Awards (MIMA) has further strengthened his reputation as a unifying figure within the sector.
According to the trustees of UN-POLAC, the appointment recognises Shittu’s integrity, dedication to community service and consistent efforts to promote social harmony, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among diverse groups. The organisation noted that his leadership and conflict-resolution efforts have made him a role model in peace advocacy and industry development.
The appointment comes with several prestigious benefits, including a UN-POLAC Certificate of Appointment/Award, an international identity card, investiture apparel, a flag of authority to be hoisted at a location of his choice, and a special vehicle number plate in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
In his role as an International Peace Advocate, Shittu may be called upon to participate in peace-building initiatives, mediation efforts and programmes aimed at promoting positive living in line with global best practices.
The annual investiture ceremony serves as a platform for recognising individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to peace, leadership and community development. This year’s event, which will take place in Lagos, is expected to attract key stakeholders from the maritime industry and other sectors of the economy.
In a letter of nomination signed by the Director-General of UN-POLAC, Prof. Halo B. Eton, the organisation conveyed its warm congratulations to Shittu, describing the appointment as a well-deserved honour in recognition of his enduring contributions to peace and distinguished leadership in the Nigerian maritime sector.
Reacting to the honour, Prince Shittu expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing peace and unity.
His words: “I sincerely appreciate Positive Livelihood Award Centre (UN-POLAC) for this distinguished honour. I accept this appointment with deep humility and a strong sense of responsibility to further advance peace, unity and constructive dialogue within the maritime sector and the wider society. I remain fully committed to promoting harmony, mutual respect and sustainable development, while supporting initiatives that foster cooperation, stability and the collective progress of our nation and the global community.”
