Presenting The First V.Group Annual Safety Catch Award

V.Group was proud to present Fireman James Shaibu with the 2025 V.Group Annual Safety Catch Award at his home port of Lagos, Nigeria.

James is recognised for his strong safety mindset and professionalism onboard m/v NUIM ANTAN, demonstrating the importance of vigilance, procedural discipline, and confident use of Stop Work Authority in day-to-day operations.

A Message From James
Speaking at the award handover, James shared:
“I’m so happy and grateful — my family is very happy as well. My advice to seafarers is to stay focused and vigilant in everything you do. Safety is the number one priority. Always be alert so that everyone can go home safely to their loved ones. A small mistake can cost lives.”

Prior to the formal presentation, James was also recognised during a live call with the crew of m/v NUIM ANTAN, where senior leaders personally congratulated him on his achievement. The occasion provided an opportunity to acknowledge the crew’s ongoing commitment to safety and reinforce the important role that teamwork and shared responsibility play in creating a safe working environment onboard.

Strengthening a Proactive Safety Culture
Our Safety Catch programme is a core part of our commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture – empowering colleagues to identify hazards, intervene early, and confidently apply our Lifesaving Rules and Stop Work Authority,
In 2025 alone, more than 35,000 Safety Observations were submitted, reflecting strong global engagement and a shared commitment to identifying and managing risk.

Why James Was Selected
From this strong level of participation, James’ Safety Catch stood out for its clarity impact, and disciplined application of our safety fundamentals.
During a routine high-risk operation, he identified a potentially unsafe condition, verified the situation, stopped the job, and escalated appropriately. His actions ensured that all required controls were in place before work resumed, reinforcing the importance of early intervention and procedural discipline.

Leadership Reflections
“James’ actions reflect the very standard of behaviour we strive for across V. — the courage to speak up, the confidence to stop work, and the commitment to keeping people safe above all else. What he did protected lives and demonstrates the kind of accountable and decisive safety leadership we expect from every one of us.”
— Gerben Nijboer, Managing Director Offshore

Partnering For Safety Excellence
We are pleased to recognise the support of West Africa Gas Limited (WAGL), whose partnership and commitment to strong safety standards help enable outcomes like this. Their continued collaboration with V.Group reinforces a shared focus on safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

Recognising Collective Commitment
👏 V.Group extends its thanks and acknowledgement to all colleagues, seafarers and partners who contribute to the Safety Catch programme. This continued commitment to effective and timely intervention and reporting is essential to sustaining a strong and resilient safety culture.