By Sunny Edemenang – Uyo
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria has honoured the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria MAN, Oron Dr Kevin Okonna with an Award for Distinguished Leadership in Logistics and Transport.
Presenting the Award, the President of CILT, Nigeria, Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro, in her remarks cited the Institute’s strategic partnership with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria and commended Dr. Okonna for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment in repositioning the Maritime Academy of Nigeria on global pedestal as a centre of excellence in maritime education.
“Dr. Okonna has shown exceptional leadership and professionalism in ensuring the Academy continues to meet international standards”. “His passion and zeal for the development of the Academy is worthy of emulation,” Mrs. Usoro stated
The award took place during the 2025 National Conference and Awards Ceremony of the Institute in Lagos recently, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to maritime education, and capacity development in maritime training in Nigeria’s premier maritime education and training centre, MAN, Oron.
In a chat with newsmen shortly after the award, the Acting Rector appreciated the CILT Nigeria for the honour, describing it as a call to continue striving for excellence in his service to the maritime industry and the nation in general
“This recognition is a call to a higher responsibility. It reflects the collective effort of the Management, Staff and Cadets of the Academy, whose dedication continues to drive our progress.”
“We’re ready to continue doing more for CILT, the industry and the country as a whole,” he added.
Dr. Kevin Okonna is a seasoned maritime academic and administrator with over thirty years of dedicated service to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria. As a lecturer, he rose through the ranks, before his appointment as the Acting Rector.
Just ten months under his watch, the Academy has achieved quite significant milestones in teaching facilities upgrade and infrastructural renewal to firm up standards, pursuance of ISO Certification for the Academy, development of Conditions and Scheme of Service for staff and Curricular on Port State Control. Others are; strengthening of collaboration
with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Nautical Institute, UK, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, IMarEST, and other global maritime bodies.
The CILT recognition therefore underscores the Acting Rector’s enduring legacy of excellence while also reinforcing the Academy’s stance as Nigeria’s foremost maritime education and training institution.
Distinguished Academy’s CILT team, accompanied the Acting Rector, viz, the Acting Director, School of Maritime Transport studies, Mrs Theresa Eyo; Senior Lecturers – Mrs Nse Okon, Dr. Imoh Ekpo, Dr. Obot Idopise S., Dr. Ufia Friday M.; the Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs Dorcas Titilola Imogore and the Academy’s Image Manager, Domo Umoekpe.
