Barr. (Dr.) Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, born in ondo to the family of Chief & Chief (Mrs.) Samson Afolabi, is a native of Idokunusi, Ijebu in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. He started his educational pursuit at Ansar ud Deen primary School in Ondo and proceeded to Baptist Grammar School, Ibadan where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC). His quest to attain high level academic excellence and leadership in advocacy, led him to the University of Lagos, where he obtained the decree in law. He became a member of the noble profession when he was called to the Nigerian Bar by the Body of Benchers on Wednesday, 4th November, 2009.
He began his working career with a shipping outfit, THE NIGERIAN EXPRESS AGENCIES LIMITED (NEAL). He became an outstanding young manager in shipping Operation and Ports Management before traveling abroad to study Shipping Management. Barr. (Dr.) Taiwo Afolabi came back and worked with the same company as its Head of Operations. However, because of his burning desire and passion for the development of the maritime sector, he left NEAL in 1988 to establish his own company – SIFAX NIGERIA LIMITED. Sifax, as it is now popularly known, has become a leader in ports, shipping and bonded terminal operation, and an institution in shipping and maritime service sector with offices in Tema Ghana, Durban South Africa, Houston USA, Rotterdam Belgium and London United Kingdom. Presently, new avenues are being opened in Djibouti and Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. In addition, Sifax scored another first recently by diversification into the aviation sector in the recently concluded privatization by the Bureau of public enterprises by bidding and eventually taking over the prestigious Skypower Aviation Handling Company Ltd. through its subsidiary, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited.
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, a professional maritime logistician and an erudite businessman, has attended several courses, seminars and workshops on ports operations and managements and other several maritime courses both locally and overseas.
He is a seasoned maritime consultant and fellow of various institutes amongst which are: The Nigerian Institute Of Financial Management (FIFM), The Nigerian Institute Of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (FIFF), The Certified Institute Of Shipping (CIS) The Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS) and The Certified Board of Administrators of Nigeria (CBAN).
Dr. Afolabi’s hard work, deep sense of corporate social responsibilities, meritorious service and philanthropic gestures to the maritime industry and the society at large have been acknowledged by many institutions as demonstrated in the harvest of awards bestowed on him and his organization, some of which are as follows:
Maritime Quality Service Award (MQSA) 1977, in recognition of his quality of service delivery by his company;
Men of Achievement Award 1998, in recognition of his achievement considering his age in business at that time;
ECOWAS International Gold Award 1999, in recognition of his contributions to business enterprise within the ECOWAS sub-region;
Society Role Model and Corporate Gold Award 2004, from Center for International Legal Co-operation and Democratic Development, in recognition of his strict adherence to laws of the land guiding his business and personal relationships;
Millennium Corporate Achievers Gold Award from International School of Aviation “THE AFRICAN PRIDE” in recognition of his innovation in the maritime sector of the economy;
The “MOST DYNAMIC SHIPPING COMPANY” of the year 2005 by Freight Forwarders Association of Nigeria, in recognition of his company’s competent among others in the shipping sector;
Achievers Award presented by Ondo State Government in 2006, in recognition of his Business acumen and achievement in the country;
The distinguished Nation-Builders Merit award (DINBMA 2007) by complete success magazine, in recognition of his contribution to the economy and the nation in general;
Rotary Appreciation Award 2007 by Rotary Club of Surulere South, Lagos, in recognition of his contribution to humanity;
Developmental Achievers in Nigeria 2007 by Times News Magazine, in recognition of his numerous achievements in the economy
Lions Club International Merit Award 2008, in recognition of his service to humanity;
Meritorious Diamond Award for National Development presented by Corporate Media Africa Communications Limited on 6th December, 2008, in recognition of his contributions to the socio-economic Development of Nigeria through is field of endeavour.
Man of the Year presented at the Ogun Awards on 16th December 2008 in recognition of his sterling achievement in his chosen career and immense contribution to his motherland.
Enterprenuer of the Year 2008 presented on 22nd March, 2009 at the Excellence Recognition Awards in recognition of his contributions to the social and economic development of the country.
2009 Nigerian National Integrity Award with the induction into the INTEGRITY HALL OF FAME on 14th May, 2009 by Hero Communication & Co.
Most Innovative Enterpreneur Award presented on Sunday, 24th May 2009 at the Transport Development Excellence Award 2009 by Trans Quest Media Concepts.
Merit Award presented by Ilese Community Development Association on behalf of the people of Ijebu Ilese in appreciation of his consistency and commitment to the development and progress of Ilese Ijebu on Saturday, 29th July, 2009.
Dynamism in maritime Industry Award presented at the lifetime Achievement Awards held on Friday, 25th September, 2009.
Excellence Award for his integrity and contribution to global economic development & service to mankind presented by Egbeda Lions Club on 25th October, 2009.
Maritime Gold Award of integrity and commitment for the Year 2009 presented by maritime watch on 19th November, 2009.
His company is the leader of the consortium that bidded for and won Port Harcourt Ports Terminal “A” in 2006. His Company also won the concession of Tin Can Island Ports Terminal ‘C’.
Taiwo Afolabi is an Icon in maritime sector, and an industrial plutocrat of our time; one of the frontline advocates of the local content initiatives and indigenous participation in Nigeria shipping business who has continued to create jobs and opportunities for human wellbeing and sense of security. That was why he was conferred with a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration by Cornerstone University and Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel and USA.
Similarly, at the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho which took place on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2008, he was conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology (Honoris Causa).
Also, at the congregation for the award of honorary Doctorate, Honoris Causa, which took place on Saturday, 11th July, 2009, he was conferred with an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts Honoris Causa (Hon. D.A.) by the European-American University, Dominica for his outstanding contributions to academics and to the advancement of humanity in general.
In addition, in recognition of his contribution to the growth and spread of police community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Western Ports police Command Lagos, he was recently elected as the Grand patron.
He is also the patron of many other organizations amongst which are YOMAFA, Freight Forwarders Academy of Nigeria, etc.
He is a member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria; Ikoyi Club 1938; IBB Golf Club, Abuja; the Building Committee of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, amongst many others.
He was a member of the Delegation of the Presidential Working visit to the UK from 16th to 18th July, 2008.
Recently, in memory of his late mother, Alhaja Ayisat Ajoke Afolabi, in conjunction with his siblings, formed the Ayisat Ajoke Afolabi Foundation to take care of orphans, widows and the less priviledged persons in the society. During this short period, the Foundation of which the major donor has been his company, Sifax Group, has extended its hand of fellowship to many Nigerians by payment of School fees, hospital bills and setting up of businesses for them. During this short time, Dr. Afolabi through the Foundation, has received the following awards:
Meritorious Diamond Award for National Development presented by Corporate & Media Africa Communications Limited in December, 2008.
Nation Builders Statesmanship Productivity Merit Award for uncommon stewardship, patriotism and meritorious selfless services presented by Global Monitor International Magazine on 22nd August, 2009.
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi is a sport lover, who enjoys watching and playing football.
He is happily married with children.
Deacon (Mr.) ISHOLA AKINWALE AFOLABI
Deacon (Mr.) ISHOLA AKINWALE AFOLABI was born on August 19th, 1956, the first son of the family of Afolabi Samson Abosede, from Ijebu Land – Ilese/Isabe, Nigeria.
He finished both his Primary and Secondary Education in Ibadan City. St. James Primary School, Oke Ado, 1965 – 1971 and Baptist Grammer School, Idishin – Jericho quarters from 1971 – 1976 before proceeding to the United Kingdom, for his higher education Waltham – Forest College, Forest Road, London, E17, 41b and North East London Polytechnic now (East London University), Dagenham, Essex RM8 2AS where he graduated with a degree in Business studies
After completion of his studies he came back to Nigeria and participated in one year National Youth Service Corps from November 15th, 1983 to 14th November, 1984.
He later joined the Nigeria Express Agences Ltd. and Interscan Paints Nigeria Ltd. However, during his employment with these two companies, he traveled many times to United Kingdom and Spain for more business experiences and holiday trips.
In 1989, he established his own company named “Instarmac Nigeria Ltd.” which is a Licensed Clearing and Forwarding Company. An honorary Gold Award (A prestigious Award for Excellence) was presented to him in June, 2009, in recognition of his contribution to the growth and development of the Nigeria economy. Also in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and spread of PCRC in Ports Authority Police Command, the Area Commander of Western Ports police Command, Lagos appointed him as the Grand Patron of PCRC in ports Authority Police Command.
Apart from his business, he is a Deacon in the Assembles of God Church, Ikeja, Lagos and happily married to Mrs. Florence Omerose Afolabi with children.
He enjoys playing games and meeting more people for creative ideas. He is the president of the Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation taking care of the less-privileged and orphans in Nigeria.
EMMANUEL ALAO AKEEM
Pastor Emmanuel is a Nigerian social fellow, civil servant, professional artist, lover of caring for children and an anointed man of God, who have development expert in child right campaign NGO.
He was born in the 60’s the first child of nine to the family of Alhaji Saka Akanji Alao, from Kwara state, Okelele, Ilorin, and a mother from Ogun state – (Ibogun ola – ogun), Owu Labuta’s Compound Abeokuta. Emmanuel was raised neither with a silver nor a golden spoon.
Working his way through primary, Secondary and Higher education coupled with many challenges, then in the north Jos, Emmanuel started investing himself, re-learning, thinking good and migrated to the south, Lagos city.
He went on to learn more educationally and professionally as student of fine arts in Federal Technical College and Yaba College of Technology respectively.
Emmanuel’s NGO’s charity life started in his ministry with the children ministry and later met the
great philanthropist (Uncle Taiye) now Barr. (Dr.) T.Y. Afolabi – whom through as volunteer working fellow, he founded Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation, of which Emmanuel is the co-ordinator.
Through God’s grace and Dr. T.Y. Afolabi, AAAF was financed for development and now well known by many e.g. SOS Children’s villages Nigeria, WANGO, UNICEF, NNNGO, e.t.c.
Emmanuel had since the establishment of AAAF received many awards and honour especially on behalf of Barr. Dr. T.Y Afolabi. AAAF.
Also, as the assistant co-ordinator for the school of deliverance, region of Ejigbo MFM.
Emmanuel lives in lagos, married to his wife Bisi and blessed with children.
