Under Winfred’s direction, Global West began to collapse.
In early 2015, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze all of Global West’s bank accounts. This devastating move paralyzed the company.
That same year, Olabis Idowu Afolabi (Bisi), one of Winfred’s trusted associates, resigned suddenly. Just months later, in June 2015, Global West stopped paying its workers. Families suffered. Promises were made—but never kept.
In 2019, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi-Lagos discharged Global West from the EFCC criminal case. But by then, the damage was done.
Even though the embargo was lifted, NIMASA—the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency—refused to release the funds owed to Global West. With limited reserves, the company could only afford to pay three months of back wages. Many workers never saw a full paycheck again.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
On May 28, 2023, after years of anger and sadness, I wrote an email to my Uncle Winfred letting him know that I forgave him. I truly meant every word then, and I still mean it now. However, as I reread the email years later, I noticed that I never apologized for any actions of mine that might have offended him. At the time, I believed I was right and felt no need to apologize. Reflecting now, I realize that perhaps if I had apologized, we might have reconciled before his passing in October 2023.
My uncle made mistakes, but we’ve all made mistakes. Those errors don’t erase all the hard work and the good things he accomplished. In the end, pride often prevents us from reconciling with others and moving forward, but that’s not the way I want to live my life. I’ve asked God for forgiveness and have tried to apologize to everyone involved whom I may have offended during my pursuit of answers. If you are someone who I have offended during this process and you haven’t heard from me, I am truly sorry.
Just a few months later, on October 10, 2023, Winfred Itima died suddenly.
Kevin never received a reply to his forgiveness letter. But he knew Winfred had read it. According to email tracking, the message was opened several times—even four months after it was sent. The silence said enough.
What should have united a family, divided it. What should have lifted a nation, left it asking questions.
Kevin Itima continues to share this story—not to shame, but to shine a light. So that entrepreneurs, public servants, and everyday citizens across Nigeria and the diaspora can learn from it.
Captain Romeo Itima’s dream still lives. But it demands truth, justice, and accountability.
Captain Romeo Itima was a pioneering U.S. Merchant Marine Captain and visionary leader who revolutionized Nigeria’s maritime industry. His legacy of courage, sacrifice, and empowerment endures as a beacon of justice and resilience.
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