ASIMPIN Impressively Marks Iri Ji Festival And End Of Year Celebration … As Comptroller Dera Nnadi Thrills The Audience On Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme

By Chinonye Anyatonwu

The President General of Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria, (ASIMPIN), His Royal Majesty, Eze Amb.Demian Emeka Obianigwe, Ksm, Eze Oha 1 of Isi Ihitte Owerri, Orlu, Imo State, was joined by prominent maritime practitioners of Igbo extraction and friends of Ndigbo from other ethnicities at the glamorous Iri Ji Festival and end of the year party. The event which took place on Sunday 3rd of December, 2023, at Arthur Mbanefo Hall, Festival Hotel (Durbar), Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, brings together prominent Igbo personalities and revered guests across the country.

Dignitaries at the event are the President General of ASIMPIN who was the Royal Father of the Day, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, as well as Founder, New Nigerian People’s Party-NNPP was present as Father of The Day, while Compt. Dera Nnadi, the Customs Area Controller, Tincan Customs Command was Special Guest of Honour. Chief Peter Oge Obih, Dim Ogbuagu, was the Guest of Honour while Prince Ozo Chukwurah, Deputy President of ASIMPIN, was the Chief Host. The well attended event was also graced by Chief Emeka Okonkwo aka E-Money, the Vice President of Association of Nigerian Customs Licenced Agents – ANLCA, Prince Segun Odutan, Prince Ayo Ariyo, and other dignitaries.

The Iri Ji and End of the Year Ceremony showcased the rich Igbo cultural heritage as guests were treated to roasted yam with palm oil sauce, Ugba , Ukwa and other delicacies as natural palm wine was relished by many. Also in attendant is His Royal Majesty, Eze Demian Emeka Obianigwe, Ksm., who ritualistically paid attention to every customary detail, asserting his status as a custodian and repository of the Igbo culture and tradition. The highlights of the event were the paper presentation by Compt. Dera Nnadi, mni, and an award presentation and recognition of the Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Okechukwu Aniebonam, as “Godfather of Maritime Industry” by ASIMPIN. In his paper presentation on the theme : A Unique Capital Incubation: Igbo Model, was solely hinged on Igbo Apprenticeship Scheme known as “Igba Boy”. Compt. Nnadi’s unique tutorial prowess was a jaw- dropping experience holding the audience spellbound as every paragraph attracted a thunderous ovation.

The Tincan command boss whom by that comprehensive lecture opened the eyes of many to principles of resilience, determination, humility and every other requirements needed to form the dome of Igbo Capital Incubation which in turn has produced and continued to produce a good number of Igbo millionaires in different fields of human endeavour. Dr. Aniebonam in his speech, made a Clarion call to the Igbos in Maritime, urging them to embrace one another as brothers according to the slogan of ASIMPIN, “Onye aghala Nwanne ya”.

The Maritime guru who pledged support for the Apex Igbo Maritime association went ahead and instructed every bonafide member of NAGAFF of Igbo extraction to get involved in the activities and membership of ASIMPIN henceforth. However, the MD/CEO of Clarion Bonded Terminal was also at the event with fellow Catholic women to make a presentation to Compt. Dera Nnadi, mni. However, cash donations were made by some dignitaries to support the association as the event recorded tremendous success. In his remarks, the Chief Host and Vice President of ASIMPIN, Prince Ozo Chukwurah, thanked everyone for making out time despite their tight schedules to be part of the ceremony. He urged Ndigbo in Maritime to be their brothers keepers and always apply wisdom in all they do.