Today, 13th December 2025, history was made at PIL Nigeria Limited (Pacific International Lines), a Singaporean multinational shipping line and a global giant in the maritime industry, as the company honoured one of its pioneer staff and renowned philanthropists, Hon. Christopher Ikechukwu Gbaruko, with a Long Service Merit Award.
The honour was in recognition of his immeasurable service and outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the company in Nigeria and across Africa over the past 16 years.
While presenting the award, the company stated that it was an honour to recognise an individual who has truly and consistently made a remarkable impact on the success story of PIL Nigeria Limited in Nigeria and Africa. According to the company, it was a privilege to present the award to someone who exemplifies dedication, hard work, professionalism, and excellence.
Hon. Gbaruko’s recognition comes as no surprise, as he has proven himself to be a builder and a source of inspiration to individuals and families through his generosity and selfless service.
He shares the vision of the renowned Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who emphasized that greatness is not a one-time event or a matter of chance, but the result of ingrained daily actions and habits.
We congratulate Hon. Christopher Ikechukwu Gbaruko, an Umuohu Okpula Ndume Ibeku–born Port Harcourt-based maritime expert and philanthropist, on this well-deserved recognition by a global giant in the maritime industry.
Through his distinguished service, he has made Umuohu Okpula, Ndume, Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, and Nigeria at large proud, earning the admiration of a leading international business empire.
We encourage him to sustain the qualities of excellence, integrity, and commitment that have set him apart in the eyes of PIL Nigeria Limited. We also give glory to God Almighty for the wisdom, grace, and strength bestowed upon him over the years in contributing significantly to the transformation and success of PIL Nigeria Limited in Nigeria and Africa.
The people of Ndume equally appreciate his passion and unwavering commitment to community development through various philanthropic initiatives. Notably, the ongoing Predict and Win exercise of the annual Ndume Otuka Unity Football Competition, now in its third year, remains one of his laudable initiatives.
Congratulations once again on this remarkable achievement.
