The Charles Martins Institute of Management and Public Administration of Africa (CMIMPA), has honoured a senior marine pilot and a Maritime operations professional Yakubu Ezra Yashiyi with the ” *Eminent Resourceful Man of the year”* in recognition of his contributions and professional accomplishments in the maritime sector.
The award was presented during the institute’s induction ceremony and conferment of honorary doctorate and fellowship awards on eminent personalities, held on Friday, October 30, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State.
Speaking at the occasion, the Registrar of the institute, Dr. Jerry Chinedu, described Charles Martins Institute as one of Africa’s leading professional institutions, combining leadership management and Public administration to enhance capacity and manpower productivity and certification across a wide range of carrier cadres and sectors committed to recognising excellence and promoting professional development.
He explained that the gathering was organised to commemorate the induction of new members and the conferment of honorary doctorate and fellowship awards on distinguished individuals who have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields.
Speaking after receiving the award, Yakubu Ezra Yashiyi, an experienced senior marine pilot and Maritime operations professional with years of practical experience in harbor pilotage, vessel moneuvring, marine safety, Port operations and Maritime risk management, expressed joy and appreciation to the institute for the recognition, noting that he had been inducted earlier in the year and was delighted to receive the Eminent Resourceful Man of the Year award.
He described the honour as a source of inspiration and a foundation for greater achievements, particularly for those coming behind him, adding that the recognition would encourage him to continue making meaningful contributions to society.
Yashiyi also pledged his continued support for the institute and its vision of promoting professional excellence.
Commenting on the theme of the occasion, *”Leveraging AI for Public Sector Efficiency and National Development,”* Yashiyi expressed concern over the reluctance of some people to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He maintained that regardless of people’s reservations, AI represents the direction in which the world is moving, stressing the need for individuals and institutions to recognise its growing importance.
“Whether they like it or not, that is where the world is heading. Though there may be some compromises, remember that it is an advanced learning tool”.
He emphasised the importance of embracing emerging technologies while understanding their limitations, noting that the effective application of AI could contribute significantly to improved public sector efficiency and national development.
