By Fredrick Ameh
The Tin Can Island Port Hall in Lagos was transformed into a literary hub as Fredrick Ameh officially launched his book, Candle Like Me, before an audience of senior maritime officials and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stakeholders.
The event, hosted within the NPA premises, served as a platform to celebrate the professional growth of the young maritime writer and editor.
Under the supervision of the Port Manager, Sylvester Othuke Egede, whose leadership was instrumental in coordinating the program, the launch underscored the Authority’s commitment to fostering intellectual talent within the port ecosystem.
The gathering was also facilitated by the strategic support of Sani Isa Abubakar, highlighting a unified institutional effort to encourage knowledge development among the industry’s younger generation.
The launch of Candle Like Me at one of West Africa’s busiest commercial hubs represents a significant Institutional Mentorship success story.
Port Manager Sylvester Othuke Egede described the work as a reflection of Ameh’s personal journey and the lessons garnered within the demanding port environment.
This “lived experience” narrative is a mechanical necessity for the maritime sector, where tacit knowledge often outweighs theoretical training.
By documenting his journey, Ameh is contributing to the Institutional Memory of the NPA, providing a relatable roadmap for other young professionals entering the industry.
Fredrick Ameh’s public appreciation for Atabo Mohammed Sule, Head of the Statistics Department, and So’la Adesanwo highlights the vital role of “Internal Coaching” in the civil service.
Sule’s focus on work ethic and Adesanwo’s continuous mentorship provided the structural integrity required for Ameh to transition from an editor to a published author.
As Tin Can Island Port continues its critical role in trade facilitation, such literary initiatives signal a shift toward a more Knowledge-Based Port Culture, where the development of human capital is celebrated with the same fervor as cargo throughput and terminal efficiency.
