Ike Okoye, my erudite boss at Zircon Marine, and teacher in the school of life. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to work under you first in Mariserve and then in Zircon Marine. The incredible work ethics I have today - I owe largely to you.

You drove me to always be on top of my game. You taught us to 'just do it and give it our best shot.' You counselled us never to bite more than we can chew at any point in time. Your sagely words still ring on in my mind.

Whether I was your car, or with you in the office, or having lunch/dinner in your house (the meals were sumptuous), or on the phone with you (sometimes at odd hours to the consternation of my fiancée - now wife), I was enamored of your energy and passion to build a world class company.

You spoke adoringly of your wife, though I could never really contribute to the discussion (I can only nod my head to whatever my boss says of his wife). You couldn't hide your love for Gorgeous - your daughter - and the few times we went to pick her up in school together was another tutorial session for me on how you were going to instill some core values in her.

Behind your back, we called you Mazi in the office. So Mazi, I remember the first day I met you during the interview on March 16 2010, and the last time I saw you on June 3 2011 when I left Zircon Marine. You persuaded me not to leave, but when you saw that my mind was made up, you paid for lunch for every member of staff, as a mini sendoff.

Exactly a year after, you left this world. I truly miss you Mazi. I have searched my heart as your former employee, and I have only fond memories of you. You did me well, and I pray that God will do you well. I also pray for the loved ones you left behind, that God will do them well in Jesus name.

Seun Daramola