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From Isaac Job, Uyo
The third quarter Citizens’ stakeholders engagement held at Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom, was a moment of stock taking, appraisal and assessment of the contributions of the Nigeria ‘s premier Maritime institution to the new blue economy sector introduced by President Bola Tinubu as a strategy to harness marine economy in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The one day Maritime stakeholders engagement facilitated by the acting Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr Kevin Okonna, was organized after many years on the theme” Implementation of National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for Onboard Training of Nigeria Merchant Navy Cadets and Critical Needs of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria ” was presided by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Other stakeholders were ship owners association, Chairman and Board members of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, acting rector of the institution, host community representatives and the public.
The Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement is a quarterly session hosted by the Academy to reaffirm collective vision to advance Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy through collaboration, innovation and excellence in marine education and training.
Maritime Academy has over the years, remained a cornerstone of human capital development for maritime industry, through its programmes, training and commitment to excellence in producing the manpower required to keep the sector vibrant and competitive.
The Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola while welcoming participants disclosed that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is operating the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, which one of them centres on manpower development.
Oyetola who was represented by Director Research and Planning in the ministry, Mr. Joseph Abum restated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that seafarers, cadets and marine professionals were not only globally competitive but also well equipped to drive the growth and sustainability of the sector.
He point out critical role the stakeholders have to play such as aligning efforts, exchange valuable ideas and chart a common course toward sustainable growth, enhanced competitiveness and global relevance, adding that, Marine and Blue Economy depends on collaborative resolve and partnership.
The citizens’ engagement was laced with other activities by the rector of the Academy, which included presentations by maritime resource persons, executive session on Onboard Training, signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy and Abuja MoU, communique engagement, facility tour of basic modern maritime facilities/infrastructure in the Academy and briefing on the current state of the Maritime Academy as well facts about its training standards by the acting Rector, Dr. Okonna who unfolded his scorecard since he assumed duties 10 months ago.
Okonna told the stakeholders that the Academy has additional advantage of situating on 100 hectres plot of land in Oron, Akwa Ibom State with a water front opening to Calabar channel and Atlantic Ocean.
” The Academy has at its waterfront, a standard jetty head with the full complement of facilities required for STCW proficiency in survival craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) and other training programmes.
Okonna said some of the facilities on the jetty head were provided through standard industry partnership with Nigeria Natural Gas (NLNG) Ship management Limited (NSML) for delivery of training at global standards.
“The courses being conducted with drills at the jetty head for seafarers and offshore workers are some of the most popular in the Academy.”
Continuing with achievements under his watch, Okonna disclosed that the institution has acquired state-of-the- art simulators that being perfectly maintained and utilized for STWC mandatory training of its cadets and short courses participants from the industry.
“The simulators include; a 30- trainee- Multi fuctional classroom (MFC) simulator, full Mission Bridge Simulator, Full Mission Engine Room Simulator and Virtual Reality (ocular vision) simulator.
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” The multi functional classroom simulator has eight part task simulators including; Radar/ARPA, ECDIS, GMDSS, Navigation/ Maneuvering, Dynamic Positioning, Liquid Cargo Handling, High Voltage, and Engine Room Simulators in one classroom being an innovation created through the partnership between the Academy and the globally recognized simulator manufacturers”
The rector explained that the simulators have international and Nigeria Ports Areas Navigational Channels for exercises while all the simulator-based courses are fully booked ahead of schedule.
Okonna further listed other facilities in the Academy and achievements that define the current state of the Maritime Academy.
According to him, these facilities include survival pool complex with four survival pools, Life Raft Repacking workshop, smart classroom blocks equipped with public address system and web based distance learning, several engineering workshops with functional marine engines as well 19 engineering workshops and Laboratories in the institution.
“Others are standard male and female hostels for cadets with 260 rooms a short courses hostels with 100 rooms all ensuit with modern bathrooms/toilet facilities backed up by alternative power supply.
” Large standard refectory and galley, medical centre, standard medical centre with 16 beds and two brand new well equipped ambulance, marine exhibition halls with real ship parts , e library 48o computer ICT room, Guest House, on campus accommodations for more than 340 staff among others.
He said the Academy offers seven regular cadetship training programmes fully accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and 48 professional and mandatory short in line with SWTC conventions with accreditation Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
Surprisingly, Okonna said he has made over 29 landmark achievements in the last 10 months on the saddle as the acting rector of the institution.
“For the first time since it was established, the Academy has completed the development of Conditions and Scheme of Service for staff of the Academy and obtained the recommendations of the Governing Council and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
“We have completed under the policy direction of the governing council the development of a five year Strategic Development Plan for the institution, which has been recommended to the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy consideration, adoption and approval.
“We have rehabilitated the male and female, hostels, purchased 3 brand new transformers and collaborated with PHED Company to intervene on Eket- Oron Power Supply vline to reconnect power supply to the Academy after eight years just to improve power supply to the institution.
“We have contacted and partner with major ship owner association and other individual ship owners for provision of onboard training opportunities for cadets in the Academy
“In line with the presidential directive, we have held 3rd Quarter Citizens’ and Stakeholders Engagement with the focus on implementation of the National Poly on Marine and Blue Economy for Onboard Training of Nigerian Merchant Navy Cadets and the Critical Needs of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria ”
He said the briefing has presented facts about the current state of Maritime Academy of Nigeria as well as achievements of the present management and Governing Council of the institution in the last 10 months.
“We have added value, shape the future and position ourselves for the emerging challenges in the blue economy and align completely with renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
