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= Pius Ukeyima Akutah = Pius Ukeyima Akutah (born June 7, 1970) is a Nigerian legal practitioner and public servant currently serving as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Shippers' Council. He assumed office on October 25, 2023, succeeding Emmanuel Jime, and officially commenced his duties at the Council's headquarters in Lagos on November 1, 2023.

Early Life and Education
Akutah was born in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. He pursued his legal education at the University of Abuja, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 2006. He later attended the Nigeria Law School in Bwari, Abuja, and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a Barrister at Law (BL) in May 2007. Subsequently, he obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree in Public International Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 2016. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in International Cooperation in Criminal Matters at Nassarawa State University, Keffi.

Career
Before assuming his role at the Nigerian Shippers' Council, Akutah held various positions of increasing responsibility within the Nigerian legal system. He served as an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, where he headed the Central Authority Unit of the International Cooperation Department under the Office of The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

Akutah's expertise in international legal cooperation led him to represent the Nigerian government in several high-profile criminal cases and to participate in the preparation, vetting, and negotiation of bilateral agreements on mutual legal assistance and extradition. Notably, he was involved in a landmark extradition case at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2022.

Throughout his career, Akutah has been actively engaged in training, career enhancement, and international cooperation initiatives. He has attended numerous workshops, training programs, and conferences both domestically and internationally, focusing on topics such as criminal justice reform, maritime security, and judicial integrity.

Professional Affiliations and Recognitions
Akutah is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He is an alumnus of prestigious programs such as the US Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and the US International Law Enforcement Academy. He has been honored with various awards for his contributions to public service, including the Presidential Civil Service Merit Award and the National Honours Award as a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Personal Life
Beyond his professional endeavors, Akutah enjoys swimming, reading, and traveling. He is married and has children. His extensive travels have taken him to various countries across the globe, including the United States, United Kingdom, Ghana, Senegal, India, and many others.

Legacy
Throughout his career, Akutah has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, professionalism, and international cooperation in the field of law and public service. His contributions to the Nigerian legal system and his efforts to promote maritime security and criminal justice Cooperation have left a lasting impact on the nation's legal landscape.