The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has described beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) who recently obtained their Certificates of Competency (CoC) as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, noting their commendable character and professionalism.
Speaking during an engagement with the newly certified seafarers who paid him an appreciation visit in Lagos, the Dr. Mobereola commended their resilience and determination, having successfully navigated years of uncertainty to achieve professional certification.
He observed that while challenges can be perceived as obstacles, they can also serve as opportunities for growth, emphasizing that the officers chose the latter path. “You have weathered the storm; the future will be easier for you. We are proud of you,” the DG stated.
Dr. Mobereola further charged the Seafarers to remain disciplined and committed to excellence, urging them to serve as mentors to upcoming cadets within the maritime sector.
He stressed that the Nigerian maritime industry requires their expertise and reaffirmed that Nigerian seafarers possess the capacity to compete favourably on the global stage, provided they remain consistent and professional.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, one of the officers, Edet Uttibe Michael, expressed profound appreciation to the NIMASA management for addressing their prolonged challenges. They recounted that after graduating from maritime institutions in Romania, they had remained without sea-time training and certification for about eight years.
According to him, the intervention of the current NIMASA management restored their hope and enabled them to realize their professional aspirations. He described the Director General as a compassionate and visionary leader who took decisive steps to resolve a longstanding issue that predated his tenure.
“We came to express our sincere appreciation for your magnanimity. You gave us hope and made our dreams come true,” Edet said.
Recently, NIMASA Management initiated strategic interventions to address the sea-time and CoC challenges for the NSDP beneficiaries.
This programme commenced in 2024 with the first batch of 40 cadets sent to Tyne Coast College, South Shields Marine School, United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in resolving the longstanding challenge. Out of this number, 34 cadets passed.
