MARCON names NPA’s Onyemekara Maritime PR Professional of the Year
Maureen Aguta
The Maritime Correspondents Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) has named the General Manager, Corporate & Strategic Communications of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, as the recipient of its prestigious Maritime PR Professional of the Year Award.
According to MARCON, the recognition follows a rigorous assessment of Onyemekara’s outstanding contributions to maritime communication, public affairs engagement and industry development over the past year.
The association noted that Onyemekara has played a key role in strengthening media relations, promoting transparency, and projecting Nigeria’s maritime interests on regional and global platforms, including engagements at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
A career NPA staff member who joined the Authority in 1992, Onyemekara has distinguished himself through decades of service marked by professionalism, strategic insight and sustained commitment to enhancing the Authority’s communication architecture and stakeholder relations.
Speaking on the award, Chairman of MARCON’s Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, described Onyemekara’s professional record as exemplifying the highest standards of public relations practice in the maritime sector.
“Mr. Onyemekara has consistently demonstrated a rare blend of expertise, depth and responsiveness in his communication approach. His contributions have continued to enhance the visibility and credibility of the Nigerian Ports Authority and, by extension, the entire maritime sector,” Ogbuokiri said.
He added that MARCON, as a leading body of professional maritime journalists, instituted the award to recognise individuals whose work significantly promotes transparency, institutional trust and effective communication within the maritime ecosystem.
The award will be presented at the 2025 MARCON Annual Retreat, scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2025, at De Marii Hotel, Lekki Free Zone, Lagos.
The retreat is expected to attract key stakeholders from the maritime, trade and regulatory sectors to deliberate on emerging industry issues and strategic communication imperatives.