Nigeria’s foremost shipping mogul, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun has postponed all activities lined up to mark his 70th birthday indefinitely.
Ogbeifun said in a statement he personally signed that while the planned one-day maritime symposium on the Establishment of a Nigerian Global Trading Fleet would now hold virtually on Friday 5th February 2021, he would however be in Benin City, Edo State on 11th February, being his birth date to receive goodwill messages and greetings.
He explained that the events were postponed after wide consultation in view of the second wave of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic and knowing that the scheduled symbolic events will naturally pull large crowds.
The statement reads: “Given the second wave of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the various incidents resulting from large crowd events and having consulted widely, I regret to inform you that I am obliged to postpone indefinitely, all activities lined up to mark my 70th birthday in Benin City.
“These include book launch (Greg Ogbeifun Autobiography- NOT ALWAYS EASY, MY VOYAGE FROM OBSCURITY); the endowment of the Institute of Maritime Technology in Edo State polytechnic Usen, thanksgiving service and entertainment scheduled to hold on Saturday 13th February 2021.
“However, on Thursday 11th February 2021 being my birth date, I will be available to receive goodwill messages and greetings at Benin City, Edo State.
“For my colleagues in the maritime industry, the one-day maritime symposium will still be held on Friday 5th February 2021 virtually. To participate at the event, kindly find attached the flyer containing relevant information for registration or you can send an email to gregat70@starzs-group.com to enable you register and contribute to the discussions with regards to the establishment of a Nigerian global trading fleet.
“We are monitoring very closely the trend of the COVID-19 pandemic and once it is ascertained to be safe to have the celebration, adequate notices will be sent out for the new dates.
“I know these are trying times, and I thank you for your understanding regarding the postponement. I pray that God keeps us all and our families safe throughout this difficult time.”
