Lawyers in Akwa Ibom state have said that they are strategically positioned to harness prospects and opportunities in the blue economy planned by Governor Umo Eno in the A-R-I-S-E agenda of the state government.
Speaking at the end of a two-day workshop in Uyo at the weekend on the theme” Maximizing the Gains of Blue Economy and the A-R-I-S-E Agenda Through Local Content Development”, the Coordinator of Legal Project Alliance for Umo Eno and Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Legal Documentation Barr Ememobong Nicholas
said the capacity building workshop was organized to complement Umo Eno’s local manpower development goals and his quest to bring the Ibom Deep Seaport project to fruition.
He said the workshop was organized in collaboration with the Marine and Oceans Academy to acquire knowledge and skills ahead of the Ibom Deepsea project planned by the state government.
He said participants engaged in impactful sessions through lectures on various topics such as “A Comparative Appraisal of Ibom Deep Seaport Project and Similar Port Projects”, “Understanding Marine Services and Employment Agreements, “Manpower Development and Career Prospects for Lawyers in Ibom Deep Seaport,” and “Preparing for Opportunity: Akwa Ibom Professionals, the Blue Economy and the ARISE Agenda” among others.
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In his remarks, Nicholas who is the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA), explained that the workshop was organized to properly equip lawyers in Akwa Ibom State with the capacity to embrace opportunities derived from the blue economy and the A-R-I-S-E Agenda, particularly, the Ibom Deep Seaport.
“The Governor is very passionate about the Ibom Deep Seaport project and is very intentional about the development of local manpower for jobs that will be thrown up by the green field project when it comes to life.
“This underscores the reason for this training and we are hopeful that the Governor will facilitate this training for all lawyers in the State in various new areas of law touching the ARISE Agenda so that our people would meet opportunities prepared”
While fielding questions from journalists at the end of the workshop, the Chairman, of the Governing Council of Marine and Oceans Academy, Justice Ifiok Ukana (Rtd.) said the workshop which focuses on the future was of great importance for lawyers in Akwa Ibom State.
“Preparation is a great aspect of life’s success. This program is of great importance because we are looking beyond today.
” I spoke on the prospects and opportunities in Ibom Deep Seaport for Akwa Ibom Lawyers and how the Ibom Deep Seaport is different from all other seaports in the nation.
“Ibom Deep Seaport is a game changer and Akwa Ibom is blessed with the conception of the program” He said.
