The federal government has restated its commitment to. appropriate more funds to boost infrastructure at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron in Akwa Ibom state.
Speaking during a one-day working visit to the nation’s premier academy recently, the Minister of State for Transportation said the federal government was impressed with the infrastructures in place by the Rector of the Academy commodore Duja Effedua (rtrd).
The Minister inspected new facilities in the Academy built by commodore Effedua such as the Multi-functional Classroom Simulator, Full Mission Deck Simulators, Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Ocular Vision, Smart Classrooms, Survival Pool and Maritime Academy of Nigeria Jetty.
He lauded the Rector for changing the face of the Academy to add value and status of the institution describing the learning environment at the institution as the best in Nigeria.
He further commended Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd) led administration for its untiring drive at placing the Academy at a standard to compete with other maritime institutions in the comity of maritime nations.
“I am impressed with the management of this Academy, the transformation is tremendous and most importantly the learning environment is one of the most conducive in the country”.
The Minister disclosed that the high level of practical training offered by the Academy in view of the installed state-of-the-arts educational facilities was commendable promising that the federal government would continue to support the institution to an enviable height.
The Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority who was in the Minister’s entourage, Mr. Michael Lodge while addressing the Cadets disclosed that the International Seabed Authority is a Kingston, Jamaica-based inter-governmental body made up of 167 member states and the European Union established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and its 1994 Agreement on Implementation.
Read Also: NDLEA nabs 90-year-old bandits’ drug supplier, others
He explained that the authority is responsible for managing the exploration of all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of mankind.
He assured that new job opportunities would be created in the future as mining vessels that would require new technologies and lots of people would be stationed far offshore.
The International Seabed Authority Secretary said he was in Nigeria for a 3-day workshop aimed at showcasing opportunities in ISA and working on how African countries can participate
Lodge emphasized the need for the Cadets of the Academy to visit the Seabed Authority’s website and take advantage of their training opportunities adding that he was satisfied with the standard of training offered by the institute.
He maintained that such training was a pointer to the fact that Nigeria is building competent skilled workforce to take up careers in the offshore industry.
“Our visit here is short but very interesting, seeing the work and the standard of training that is taking place here is quite impressive. I’m in Nigeria for a 3-day workshop to look at the opportunities this potential will bring and how African States can participate in the future, so I suggest you take a look at our websites, you will see we have many opportunities for training with new technologies, marine sciences, biology, geology and offshore welding”.he said
The Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron Commodore Duja Effedua (retrd ) appreciated the Minister of Transportation and Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for their unwavering support towards the realization of the aspirations of the Academy.
“We are excited to have you in our school today, now Nigeria has a maritime academy that is respected Internationally, for that we are grateful to the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency”, he said.
Follow The Trumpet on all our social media platforms for more updates:
