The headquarters of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) in Apapa, Lagos, was a solemn gathering point as family members, colleagues, and industry stakeholders converged to honour the late Dr. Austin Kelly, a revered figure in Nigeria’s freight forwarding and maritime community.
The wake-keep ceremony drew emotional tributes and reflections on the impactful life of the deceased, whose contributions to the maritime sector spanned decades.
The evening featured a deeply moving sermon by renowned evangelist and spiritual leader, Dr. Clement Iwegbuna, popularly known as Omenma.
In his message, Dr. Iwegbuna described death as “an abrupt end of life” a moment when a once vibrant individual becomes silent and unreachable. Drawing from Hebrews 9:27, he reminded attendees that “it is appointed unto man once to die, and after this, judgment,” urging the gathering to embrace lives marked by integrity, accountability, and self-reflection.
Children of Late Dr Austin Kelly at the wake-keep ceremony NAGAFF headquarters lagos
He emphasized the contrast between the righteous and the ungodly, likening the latter to “chaff blown away by the wind,” a metaphor that resonated deeply with listeners as they reflected on Dr. Kelly’s exemplary character.
Tributes flowed throughout the night from family, colleagues, and friends who described the late maritime icon as a generous, principled, and committed professional whose influence shaped the freight forwarding sector. His daughter, Vivian Awana, expressed heartfelt admiration for her father’s legacy, describing him as a selfless leader who “lived a life defined by integrity, excellence, and service to humanity.”
The wake-keep also featured music, refreshments, and shared memories as guests celebrated a man whose professional and personal values left a lasting imprint on the maritime industry.
As burial rites continue, members of the maritime community reaffirmed their commitment to uphold the values Dr. Kelly embodied: service, discipline, integrity, and compassion. Though his life was brief in the grand context of time, they noted, his impact remains enduring.
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