Precious Ologbondiyan in Abuja
Marine engineering skilled and enterprise chief, Engr. Dr. Sylvanus Eferebo, has been honored throughout the Mage Start Magazine as the 2026 Megastar Man of the Decade in Blue Economy Development Champion in recognition of his contributions to engineering, management, human capital improvement and nationwide improvement over the previous decade.
The award was offered at a ceremony held in Abuja on Friday, the place distinguished Nigerians from numerous sectors have been celebrated for his or her sustained contributions to society regardless of the nation’s difficult socio-economic atmosphere.
Eferebo, is a marine engineering knowledgeable with greater than twenty years of expertise in technical consultancy, engineering administration and management in Nigeria and the worldwide maritime sector.
He obtained his Bachelor of Technology diploma in Marine Engineering, Master of Technology diploma in Naval Architecture and Ship Construction, and doctorate in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
He is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC). He can be affiliated with the Society of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (SMENA).
As the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Somatrix Marine Limited, Eferebo leads a multidisciplinary marine engineering firm specializing in marine consultancy, ship design, marine surveys, development administration, analysis and improvement, and different maritime-related providers.
The firm additionally has operations extending to South Africa.
Under his management, Somatrix Marine Limited has expanded its actions throughout marine know-how, manufacturing, distribution, outsourcing and consultancy, positioning itself as an built-in supplier of marine options in Nigeria.
An expert design engineer, speaker and engineering soft-skills educator, Eferebo has constructed a profession round technical innovation, enterprise improvement and the execution of engineering tasks.
His skilled expertise spans multicultural and extremely technical environments, with a give attention to creating concepts into sensible options.
He at present serves as National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA).
Eferebo can be the chairman of COREN’s Sector Committee on Engineering Regulation, Monitoring and Enforcement for the maritime sector and likewise the Board Chairman, Centre for Marine and Offshore Technology Development (CMOTD).
According to the organizers, his recognition displays his management and contributions throughout engineering, human capital improvement and philanthropy. Somatrix Marine Limited was additionally described as one of Nigeria’s main engineering firms.
Speaking throughout a panel session at the occasion, Dr. Eferebo highlighted the huge alternatives accessible in Nigeria’s blue financial system, noting that the sector may turn out to be a significant driver of financial progress if correctly developed and managed.
He referred to as for an applicable coverage framework to assist the efficient operation of the blue financial system, stressing the significance of creating an enabling atmosphere for maritime companies and associated industries to thrive.
The blue financial system encompasses financial actions related to oceans, seas, inland waterways and different aquatic assets.
In Nigeria, the sector provides alternatives in delivery, fisheries, marine transport, shipbuilding, coastal tourism and different maritime-related industries.
Explaining the standards for the awards, the Executive Producer of the Megastar Man of the Decade Awards, Dr. Adeniyi Ifetayo, stated the choice course of centered on sustained affect over a ten-year interval reasonably than achievements recorded in a single 12 months.
“We don’t just consider what they have done in the last one year, but we put into consideration what they have done in a decade — 10 years,” Ifetayo stated.
He defined that the organizers assessed the contributions of nominees to their communities and the wider society, together with the affect of their work in each the private and non-private sectors.
According to him, the awards search to acknowledge people whose actions have produced optimistic social affect over the years, including that solely a restricted quantity of deserving personalities could possibly be reached and celebrated throughout the occasion.
In a goodwill message, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who represents Ogun East Senatorial District in the tenth National Assembly, stated the theme of the 2026 awards was significantly related as Nigeria approaches the 2027 basic elections.
Daniel emphasised the want for leaders to put residents at the heart of their selections, urging public officeholders and different stakeholders to prioritize the pursuits and welfare of the individuals.
Other distinguished personalities acknowledged at the occasion included Senator Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District in the tenth National Assembly.
Okunbor was additionally listed amongst the different personalities acknowledged at the ceremony.
The awards introduced collectively people from totally different skilled and public service backgrounds to have fun management, skilled excellence and sustained contributions to nationwide improvement.
