The Honourable Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, has reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment towards the development at the nation’s premier maritime education and training centre, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron Akwa Ibom.
The Minister made the disclosure on Tuesday during his working visit to the Academy.
Adegoroye said he was truly impressed with the learning facilities in the Academy, just as he described the learning environment as one of the best in the country.
He commended the Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd) led administration for its steady drive at placing the Academy at par with other maritime institutions in the comity of maritime nations.
“I am impressed with the management of this Academy; the transformation is tremendous, and most importantly, the learning environment is one of the most conducive in the country,” he said.
The Honourable Minister also commended the high level of practical training being offered by the Academy, considering the installed state-of-the-art educational facilities.
He further promised that the Federal Government would continue to support the institution to greater heights.
The Academy also received the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority(ISA), His Excellency, Mr. Michael W. Lodge.
Addressing the cadets, Lodge said he was elated to be in the Academy. He informed the Cadets that the International Seabed Authority is a Kingston, Jamaica-based intergovernmental body made up of 167 member states and the European Union established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and its 1994 Agreement on Implementation.
He said the Authority is responsible for managing the exploration of all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of mankind.
According to Lodge, new job opportunities would be created in the future, since mining vessels that would require new technologies and lots of people would be stationed far offshore.
He further said he was in the country for a 3-day workshop, which is aimed at showcasing the opportunities in ISA and working on how African countries can be a part.
Lodge encouraged cadets of the Academy to visit the Authority’s website to avail themselves of ISA’s training opportunities.
He expressed satisfaction over the standard of training offered in the Academy, saying that it was a pointer to the fact that Nigeria is building competent skilled workforce to take up careers in the offshore industry.
“Our visit here is short but very interesting, seeing the work and the standard of training that is taking place here is quite impressive. I’m in Nigeria for a 3-day workshop to look at the opportunities this potential will bring and how African States can participate in the future.
So, I suggest you take a look at our websites, you will see we have many opportunities for training with new technologies, Marine Sciences, Biology, Geology and Offshore Welding,” he said.
Earlier, the Rector had expressed his appreciation to the Minister and his entourage for visiting the Academy despite their busy schedule.
He thanked the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for their unwavering support towards the realisation of the aspirations of the Academy and pledged to continue to do his best to sustain the development of the institution.
“We are excited to have you in our school today, now Nigeria has a maritime academy that is respected internationally, for that we are grateful to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,” he said.
In the Honourable Minister’s entourage was the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency, Dr. Maureen Tamuno, amongst others.
