The Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has appointed a renowned journalist and public relations expert, Mr Isichei Osamgbi, as Deputy Director and Head Public Relations.

According to the Director General of the nation’s maritime agency, Mr ZiakedePatrick Akpobolokemi, “Mr. Isichei Osamgbi is expected to bring his immense wealth of experience in public and private sectors to bear on NIMASA’s operations and growth.”

Mr. Osamgbi, who was appointed last year by NIMASA as Deputy Director/Head Abuja Zonal Office, was until then with Shell Nigeria between 2007 and 2012. Within that period, he served in various capacities. As Shell Media Relations and Communication Adviser, Osamgbi was a key member of the team that helped restructure and resuscitate the image of the global oil giant, providing a new prospect for their operations.

Between 1996 and 2006, the new NIMASA spokesman was part of the THISDAY pioneer team which spearhead a fresh perspective of journalism in Nigeria. He was at various times Energy Editor, Deputy Political Editor, Deputy Group Business Editor, Business Editor (Nation’s Capital), Foreign/Diplomatic Editor, Deputy Group News Editor, Corporate/Public Relations Manager, and member of THISDAY Board of Editors, which has produced many leading lights in Nigeria.

Osamgbi earned a Master’s in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos in 1997 and a first degree in English from the former Edo State University Ekpoma in 1992, after his earlier education at Edo College, Benin City. He has also acquired several other certifications and trainings both foreign and local in public relations and media practice, notable amongst which is a postgraduate certificate in newspaper management from the University of Mainz/International Institute of Journalism Berlin, under the scholarship award of the German Government for excellence in journalism.

As a journalist, Osamgbi covered major international assignments, among which were several global engagements of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), during the trying years of the energy sector. He also reported the activities of the United Nations and its agencies, and the Commonwealth Organisation; as well as focused reporting and analysis of local political and economic activities in the country.

The new NIMASA PR chief is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and has played leading roles as a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). He is also a member of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, and a Director at the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, where he is an honouree of the Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) of Rotary International. He is happily married with children.

•Photo shows Osamgbi.