AMES, Maritime Academy of Nigeria to boost maritime manpower development

By onepageafrica Last updated Aug 19, 2023

The newly sworn-in President of the association, Engr. Israel Obadan, being decorated with the insignia of office by the immediate Past President of AMES, Engr. Adeyinka Okunade. With them is Barr. Mrs. Tijani Eyuokwu, who administered the affirmation of office.

Association honours Ogundipe, Ogbeifun, Ilori, others

The Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES) and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron Akwa Ibom State, have expressed readiness to enter strategic partnership to address human capital development in the maritime sector.

AMES President, Engr. Isreal Obadan, gave this assurance on Friday while speaking with newsmen shortly after the inauguration of his executives in Lagos.

The new Executives of AMES, after the affirmation of oath of office on Friday in Lagos.

Obadan described the short supply of professional marine engineers and surveyors as one of the biggest challenges his administration would seek to address, adding that a strategic alliance with MAN Oron would be explored for manpower development.

“As a body, AMES is going to interact with training institutions so that we could have knowledge and technology transfer outreaches. We have to explore modalities to get this knowledge transferred to the younger ones,” Obadan said.

He also promised that his leadership would intensify efforts to acquire a befitting national secretariat for the association, even as AMES takes strategic steps to increase its membership.

“There shall be positive advocacy bothering on national issues. Let us also continue to advocate for the federal government to appoint only maritime professionals to be in-charge of maritime affairs,” the AMES President said.

In his goodwill message, the Rector of MAN Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua, called on AMES members to avail themselves as lecturers to enable MAN Oron students benefit from their vast experience.

Effedua, who was represented by Dr. John Adeyanju, said that the Academy is flexible to accommodate distant learning via online classes, while he observed that modern equipment have been acquired by the institution.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive, Starz Marine and Engineering Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, charged the new AMES leadership to explore practical steps towards playing a strategic role under the new ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Meanwhile, AMES Treasurer, Mr. Kuzi Onyibe, told newsmen that the big accomplishment which he intends to drive as an AMES executive is to ensure that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron produces first class engineers in the country.

“I schooled in Ghana and they produce first class engineers there. My colleagues are provosts, principals there, and they are helping to produce the first class engineers, so why can’t we do it here in Nigeria?”

“If we knock out politics, tribalism or whatever, we can produce the best that can work worldwide. We are shooting ourselves in the foot if we don’t have the right people in authority across all aspects of maritime and beyond,” Kuzi remarked.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to some distinguished members of AMES, including past presidents, founding members, and media organizations with The Nation winning the print media award while OnePage Africa clinched the online media segment.

AMES pioneer President, Engr. Moses Ogundipe; immediate-past President, Engr. Adeyinka Okunade; Chief Executive, Starz Marine and Engineering, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun; Engr. John Oguntokun; Engr. Emmanuel Ilori; Publisher of OnePage Africa, Mrs. Hope Orivri; were also award recipients.