The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) on Thursday said the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron Akwa Ibom, has surely transformed from 4th Class to a 1st Class marine institution for global standard maritime education and training.
President of NAMM, Captain Tajudeen Alao, stated this while giving his goodwill message during the 2022 cadets’ graduation ceremony of the Academy.
He applauded the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Efdedua(Rtd), for moving up development of the Academy, which he said had been at snail’s speed in the last four decades.
His words: “We are here today to celebrate another successful academic cycle in the running of this Academy and the career of the graduating cadets. May God guide their future voyages.
“We are at the same time celebrating the blossoming of the seeds planted for this Flotila, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, over four decades ago.
“For four decades, the growth of the Academy was likened to the ocean movement of one of the liquidated NNSL vessels…MV Oduduwa, same category with Oba Ovareme and King Jaja. You may want to check the Master Mariners’ yearly calendar to see what these early liners looked like.
“MV Oduduwa was among the early steam -fired ship, with her snail- like speed on water. You will identify her in the visual horizon, with thick smoke coming from the fu Nelson and it would take hours to pass by and extra days to get to her destination.
“In less than four years however, this Academy has been transformed from 4th Class to 1st Class Marine Institution that competes favourably with others at international at level,” he said.
The master mariners’ president appreciated the vision and commitment of the Government as well as select industry professionals who reviewed the institution for the issues plaguing and came up with solutions to address the problems.
Pointing to the result of the review and action as responsible for the present growth of the Academy, Captain Alao said that with the present infrastructure , facilities, equipment, teaching Aids, depth and discipline of the Faculty, Nigeria should stop sending students abroad for pre-sea cadet training.
“The Academy is now well-positioned to carry out her mandate of training cadets for seafaring career. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to send Nigeria s abroad for pre-sea cadets’ training,” he said.
The master mariners’ president said that the present state of the Academy as well as activities of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), showing how much exceptional interest in Marine Transportation and Navigation the nation has, should enable Nigeria get the Category ‘C’ of the International Maritime Organisation Council in any election.
To the graduating cadets, Captain Alao charged them to be good ambassadors, considering that they have equipped with knowledge and character.
Also, charging the graduating cadets to be of good conduct as they leave, Captain Sunday Umoren, the Secretary General of Abuja MoU, said “the Rector has done his part, the lecturers have done their own, now the ball is in your court. Stand out as ambassadors that would sell this Academy. You stand out as ambassadors who would carry the Flag of this country.”
Describing the Academy as one of the best among many maritime academies he had visited, Umoren warned that: “Reputation is something you cannot write off in the maritime industry.”
He said that the aging generation of mariners would gladly proceed on retirement knowing that the baton is being handed down to very vibrant and intelligent young seafarers who have been trained in the Academy.
Presentation of awards to outstanding graduating cadets was the highpoint of the ceremony, which was well-attended by Captains of the maritime industry.
