Episode 1: Hon. Denis Terzungwe Iyaighgba
…..A Tested hand steering Benue’s Marine & Blue Economy
By Donatus Jirgba
Leadership in the Marine and Blue Economy demands more than political calculation; it requires deep industry knowledge, operational resilience, and a proven capacity to deliver under pressure. In Hon. Denis Terzungwe Iyaghigba, Benue State has found a Commissioner whose career pedigree reflects precisely these attributes.
By appointing him into the State Executive Council, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia once again demonstrates his penchant for making the right choices—entrusting critical portfolios to men and women of competence, integrity, and vision. The decision to place the stewardship of the Marine & Blue Economy in the hands of Iyaghigba is not only strategic, but also an affirmation of Alia’s commitment to harnessing the untapped economic potential of Benue’s waterways and trade corridors.
For over two decades, Iyaghigba has walked the decks, boardrooms, and operations hubs of the global maritime industry. His journey began as a cadet officer in Delta Marine Shipping Services and matured through a succession of leadership positions across Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Middle East. At Blueseas Maritime Services, he rose to become Country Manager, overseeing vessel operations, terminal clearances, regulatory compliance, and international trade documentation. His decade-long management experience at the helm of operations in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire attests to his ability to navigate complex cross-border maritime systems with dexterity.
Most recently, as Regional Representative for Prompton Trading DMCC in Dubai, Iyaghigba brought fresh energy to international oil trading, vessel brokerage, and consultancy services—attracting profitable deals and expanding the company’s footprint in West Africa. This global exposure, combined with an intimate understanding of local realities, places him at a unique advantage in driving Benue’s maritime economy into new frontiers.
Academically, Iyaghigba’s credentials are no less formidable. A graduate of the University of Sunderland, United Kingdom, where he earned a BSc (Hons) in Marine Operations, and an alumnus of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, with OND and HND qualifications in Maritime Transport and Business Management, he is also a member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport (MILT). His professional training spans international codes and conventions, including ISPS, STCW, and INCOTERMS, alongside certifications in quality management systems, change management, and health, safety, and environmental standards.
But beyond technical expertise, it is Iyaghigba’s values that distinguish him. He is widely respected for his discipline, principled leadership, and unwavering insistence on ethical conduct. His philosophy of “doing things right the first time” aligns seamlessly with Governor Alia’s reformist agenda, which prizes accountability, diligence, and long-term sustainability over short-term gains.
As Commissioner, Iyaghigba steps into a role that is both timely and transformative. Benue, blessed with rivers and inland waterways, stands at the threshold of leveraging its maritime potential for economic growth, job creation, and industrial expansion. With a Commissioner whose life work has been dedicated to shipping, logistics, and trade operations, the state is poised to chart a new course in its economic diversification drive.
Governor Alia’s choice of Denis Iyaghigba is more than an appointment; it is a statement of intent. It reflects a deliberate strategy to match competence with responsibility, and vision with execution. In Iyaghigba, Benue State has not only a Commissioner but also a tested hand whose career has been one long rehearsal for the task at hand.
Indeed, in the Marine & Blue Economy, Honourable Denis Iyaghigba is the right navigator at the helm, proof that when leaders like Governor Alia make the right choices, the ship of state sails with confidence toward prosperity.
Fada Alia Ka Gafa!
©️DJ
