Mariners charge 157 graduating Maritime Academy of Nigeria cadets on professionalism  

Professional bodies of master mariners and marine engineers have charged graduating cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom, on the importance of professionalism as they move into the maritime industry to ply their trade.

The different bodies gave the charge on Thursday to the 157 cadets who graduated from various schools of the Academy including Nautical Studies, Marine Engineering and Maritime Transport and Business Management.

In his goodwill message, President of National Association of Master Mariners, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, who recognised that the cadets had been prepared for a great career and enormous opportunities in the Marine and Blue Economy, urged the cadets to be good ambassadors wherever they went.

He said: “The challenges ahead are enormous. There would be tough times always. There would be frustration tendencies. There would be temptation to give up. But always remember that the Academy has molded your character to stand up to these challenges.

“The Academy has prepared you for the vagaries of the seas- rough weather and ‘japa’ tendencies – abandon ship abroad to marry locals, and temptations on the job, social vices of drug peddling, arms smuggling, human trafficking and cargo theft. More importantly, the Academy has prepared you for a great career and enormous opportunities in the Blue Economy.

“Remember that you are Ambassadors of the Maritime Academy and Nigeria. wherever your ships sail to worldwide, please do not cause pollution of the Ocean in the course of discharging your duties onboard.

Always keep these golden points to your chest that success comes with hardwork – not luck, not shortcut. Patience is a price to pay for a successful career, otherwise you lose out.”

While announcing a cash donation of N100,000 each to the best graduating cadets both at the National and Higher National Diploma levels, the NAMM president urged the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd.), to quickly fine-tune the Academy’s curriculum to suit present needs as the world is transforming from Green Economy to Blue Economy.

In his own charge to the graduating cadets, captain Sunday Umoren, the Secretary General of the Abuja MoU on Port State Control for West and Central African region, said they must not take for granted the training they have been given as they go into the field of practice.

He said: “To the graduands, today is your day; we will not take the shine from you. But please, do not take light the applauds of people who have come to celebrate you. We also want to let you know that the future of Nigeria maritime industry rests on your shoulders and you have to make us proud. The sky is wide for many starts to shine. Don’t let your efforts be in vain as well as those of your parents and the rector.”

He encouraged the cadets on being courageous in the face of challenges as the weather would get tough in the course of their work.

“Rough seas they say make the best sailors. I pray for you that you face rough seas, but may it never consume you,” Captain Umoren said.

For Engr. Israel Obadan, president of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), the fresh graduates in marine engineering should do well to be registered as members of the association as a way to getting mentorship early in their career life.

He also seized the opportunity to call on the minister to consider ways that the sea time issue can be addressed for cadets who are trained in the country.