A Maritime Expert,
Capt. Fola Ojutalayo, has called for the upgrade of Nigerian maritime training
institutions to reduce capital flight incurred on foreign training of cadets.
Capt. Fola Ojutalayo, has called for the upgrade of Nigerian maritime training
institutions to reduce capital flight incurred on foreign training of cadets.
Ojutalayo, a
Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology,
Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the local maritime
institutions could offer the required training if well equipped.
Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology,
Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the local maritime
institutions could offer the required training if well equipped.
“Why is it
that we cannot develop our institutions here in Nigeria; upgrade them to the
level where we can sponsor these people.
that we cannot develop our institutions here in Nigeria; upgrade them to the
level where we can sponsor these people.
“ Let them go
to these institutions, get their training and right there in the industry they
go and practice?
to these institutions, get their training and right there in the industry they
go and practice?
“Why should
we send them abroad? What is it that they are doing there that we cannot do
here? So, is still the same problem of human capacity development and systems’ problem?
we send them abroad? What is it that they are doing there that we cannot do
here? So, is still the same problem of human capacity development and systems’ problem?
“You can
imagine all those trainings they are sponsoring them for are being paid for, is
not free. That is capital flight.
imagine all those trainings they are sponsoring them for are being paid for, is
not free. That is capital flight.
“If they
use the money, pump them judiciously with all commitments into the maritime
institutions in Nigeria.
use the money, pump them judiciously with all commitments into the maritime
institutions in Nigeria.
“You have
the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron; you have the Federal College of
Fisheries and Marine Technology; both of them are Federal Government
institutions. Why can’t we upgrade them? ”
the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron; you have the Federal College of
Fisheries and Marine Technology; both of them are Federal Government
institutions. Why can’t we upgrade them? ”
Ojutalayo
expressed doubts about possible job provision for the number of cadets currently
on NIMASA’s foreign seafarers’ programme in maritime institutions in several
countries.
expressed doubts about possible job provision for the number of cadets currently
on NIMASA’s foreign seafarers’ programme in maritime institutions in several
countries.
“The issue
of training, like what NIMASA is doing now. The people they are training
basically now are young seafarers who are newly coming into the industry.
of training, like what NIMASA is doing now. The people they are training
basically now are young seafarers who are newly coming into the industry.
“Although, is
a laudable feat by them; I still have some reservation concerning that as well.
The reason is because, is like a misplaced priority.
a laudable feat by them; I still have some reservation concerning that as well.
The reason is because, is like a misplaced priority.
“You are
training young seafarers to go and work on ships; you are training them in
thousands; I don’t think they are less than 2,000 that NIMASA has sent out for
now.
training young seafarers to go and work on ships; you are training them in
thousands; I don’t think they are less than 2,000 that NIMASA has sent out for
now.
“By the
time they finish in the next two, three, four years, where are they going to be
working?
time they finish in the next two, three, four years, where are they going to be
working?
“What is
the size, the capacity of ships that we have in Nigeria that will accommodate
these people? ‘’
the size, the capacity of ships that we have in Nigeria that will accommodate
these people? ‘’
Ojutalayo
advised that those who had acquired professional skills in seamanship should
not be left to roam the streets jobless.
advised that those who had acquired professional skills in seamanship should
not be left to roam the streets jobless.
He said this
could expose the unemployed to a lot of risks like wanting to become sea
pirates.
could expose the unemployed to a lot of risks like wanting to become sea
pirates.
