MEET HIGH CHIEF ATHANASIUS EKECHUKWU EGWIM (FNIS, GFITMT)Grand Patron Award Recipient – IRI JI MBAISE 2026
On Saturday, August 15, 2026, during the grand celebration of IRI JI MBAISE 2026, High Chief Athanasius Ekechukwu Egwim (FNIS, GFITMT) will be honoured with the prestigious Grand Patron Award of IRI JI MBAISE in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the maritime industry, philanthropy, community development, and the advancement of Mbaise.
Excellence in Freight Forwarding & Maritime Operations
PERSONAL PROFILE OF HIGH CHIEF ATHANASIUS EKECHUKWU EGWIM (FNIS, GFITMT)
High Chief Athanasius Ekechukwu Egwim is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Thasious International Company (Nig) Ltd (TICL), a Licensed Customs Agent and an active player in the Maritime Industry for over 40 years.Born on December 23, 1952, in Okwuaba, Okpofe, in Ezinihitte LGA, Imo State. A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (FNIS) and Grand Fellow of the Institute of Transport & Maritime Technology (GFITMT)High Chief A. E. Egwim had a distinguished career in the Operations Department of Joki Nig. Ltd., a Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Company, where he rose to the position of Operations Manager.
On leaving Joki, he joined Nsu Int’l Ltd, another Maritime Company, where within 5 years, he rose rapidly to the strategic position of Operations Director in charge of all Ports Clearing and Forwarding activities before forming and heading the Board of TICL.He is a strong believer in God, a socialite and a man with a large heart, believing that a candle does not lose anything by lighting other Candles. He is amiable, transparent, empathetic, energetic, courageous, philanthropic, a visionary leader, a high target setter, a shrewd entrepreneur, and a great achiever as well as detribalized in his social and business dealings. High Chief Egwim is inspired by the thought of a foremost Pan Africanist, Marcus Garvey, who remarked thus; God Almighty created each and everyone of us for a place in this world, and for the least of us to think that we were created only to be what we are and not what we can make ourselves, is to impute an improper motive to the Creator for creating us (AZIKIWE 1970:34.).
This thought arouse the achievement spirit that spurred High Chief Egwim on and sustained his resolve to form and keep Thasious Int’l Co. (Nig) Ltd (TICL) with the realizable mission of being one of the leading freight Freight Forwarding Companies in the West African sub-region, which mission could be described as realized as TICL being awarded Best Customs Clearance and Cargo Consolidation Service Company 2012, in the 2012 also was bestowed AFRICAN GOVERNANCE & CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD by the Institute for Government Research & Leadership Technology. A fellow of the Institute for Government & Leadership Technology on Maritime Policy, and a Grand Patron of the Police Community Relations Committee.
Through TICL, a maritime Company with a high-quality track record and value creation, High Chief Egwim is making quite notable contributions towards the socio-economic development of Nigerian society, especially in terms of employment and rendering of first-class Customs Clearance and Cargo Management Service.At the rural level, he is doing greatly in adding smiles to the faces of the masses from his Okpofe Community and its environs through: establishment of High Chief Athanasius Ekechukwu Egwim Foundation (HCAEEF) for the Scholarship of some masses (youths) of Imo State, especially those from the rural communities; also unrelenting in providing some physical infrastructures including Solar Electrification and Construction of School Blocks and Modern Civic Center in his home community Okpofe, and so many other notable sustained benevolence extended to the less privileged.
In recognition and appreciation of his piety, philanthropy, and achievements, he was also conferred with the distinguished award of Fellow of the Institute of Transportation. High Chief Egwim has received awards/honors from the society, including the Clergy, Traditional Leaders and Corporate Bodies, notable among which are: “The Maritime SO manyPersonality of the Year 2013” by the DISCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY held in Frankfurt, Germany on April 25, 2013. “2012 Grand Best Couple role model and most outstanding Entrepreneur Award” conferred on him and his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Joy Onuabuchi Egwim by GLOBAL FOUNDATION FOR UNITY, PEACE & DEVELOPMENT on April 18, 2013 at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, “2012 Award of Excellence in Freight Forwarding and Logistics Supply” from Imo State Towns Development Association Lagos (ISTDAL) Women’s Wing.
He was also conferred with the distinguished Award of Grand Fellowship of the Institute of Transport and Management Technology (GFITMT), to mention but a few.As an ardent Catholic, he is one of the most distinguished Patrons of the Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria, Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Apapa, and has the Award of Promoter of Charity in Church and Society from the CATHOLIC WORKERS VOLUNTEER FORCE IN NIGERIA.Socio-culturally, he has received so many titles, conferments and appointments which include: High Traditional conferment by the MBAISE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS.(i) Onwa Na Agbara Oha Mbaise (the moon that shines for Mbaise nation,)(ii) Mbaise Iwa Ji Certificate Award, a prestigious and highly celebrated merit award, proceeded with performance of the Iwa Ji (cutting of Yam) ritual, which is a significant part of the legendary MBAISE NEW YAM FESTIVAL.(iii) Onwa Na Agbara Oha Okpofe (the moon that shines for Okpofe), a Traditional Title conferred by the Monarch and People of Okpofe Autonomous Community.(iv) Una Eze Nke Mbu of Ogbe Ahiara (the king’s pride, the 1st of Ogbe Ahiara), a Traditional Title conferred by the Monarch and People of Ogbe Ahiara Autonomous Community.(v) Ezinwanne Di N’Obi of Itu (very beloved Brother of Itu), a Traditional Title conferred by the Monarch and People of Itu Autonomous Community.(vi) Chairman, Board of Trustees of Ezinihitte Development Association.(vii) “Laureate in Community Development” by the AFRICAN CHILD FOUNDATION during her 2014 AFRICAN CHILD AWARD.(viii) NOLLYWOOD Humanitarian Award 2014.
High Chief Egwim’s interests and skills include: Customs Clearing Agency; Cargo Consolidation, Shipping, Importation and Exportation. Consultancy; Transport provision, Management. Obsession for conquering challenges; venturing, planning, directing, accepting no answer for non-performance, setting direction and aligning people to vision.He has consolidated and expressed these interests and skills through his professional service excellence and track record, thus contributing immensely to the improvement of the Nigerian Maritime Industry.
High Chief (Elder) Egwim has been married to his Priceless Pearl and Joy, Chief (Mrs.) Joy O. Egwim for 44 years and is blessed with six children (Three young men and Three Ladies) to the glory of God. His hobbies include Touring, Networking, and News-reading, watching and listening to television, Classical Melodies and staying/appreciating his family.
