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Tag: Maritime Academy of Nigeria

  • UK training, sea-time slots lift MAN cadets

    UK training, sea-time slots lift MAN cadets

    NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Ltd (NSML) has inducted 21 Nigerian cadets for overseas training and sea-time leading to Certificates of Competency (CoC), while Nigerian shipowners separately offered over 60 sea-time slots to cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.

    The development, which industry stakeholders describe as a watershed for maritime human capital, follows a national screening exercise by NSML that selected 13 cadets from MAN, Oron, and eight from the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU), Okerenkoko, for United Kingdom-based training and sea service.

    Speaking at the induction ceremony held in Lagos, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, said the programme was a strategic response to a growing global shortage of skilled seafarers.

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    “It is another expression of our commitment and contribution to national development which we continue to demonstrate in different sectors of our economy. This induction is a direct response by NSML to the issues, challenges and yawning deficit of seafarers globally which we believe needs urgent attention to avoid the manpower dangers threatening shipping in the world,” Ahmed said.

    He noted that NSML’s investment in cadetship was aimed at domesticating international shipping competencies and positioning Nigeria for global relevance in maritime manpower supply.

    “We are committed to domesticating international shipping skill sets and standards. We believe that by developing local talents and expertise, we can contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime industry thus creating opportunities for economic advancement and global relevance. Our commitment to excellence goes beyond cadetship,” he stated.

    Ahmed disclosed that NSML’s Maritime Centre of Excellence (MCOE), the administrative hub of its cadetship programme, has secured United Kingdom accreditation for four courses, including Human Element, Leadership and Management; Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS); Information Management System; and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Operations.

    “We have, as of last count, secured a UK accreditation for four of our courses
    We are also in the process of upgrading our facility such that it will become the advanced maritime training center in Africa,” he added.

    The induction also reflects renewed industry confidence in MAN, Oron, under the leadership of its Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna, who described the period since mid-November 2024 as one of unprecedented progress for the Academy.

    Beyond the NSML programme, Okonna revealed that Nigerian shipowners have collectively offered more than 60 sea-time slots to MAN cadets, an intervention widely seen as critical in addressing the perennial bottleneck of mandatory sea service required for officer certification.

    “This is another moment of significant joy and pride to us at the Academy. It shows that our hard work is not in vain and it also reflects our global rating and competitiveness among maritime Academies in the world,” Okonna said.

    He explained that NSML conducted extensive audits of MAN’s training facilities and equipment before approving the cadets for overseas training, following months of engagement and negotiations.

    “As soon as I took over the management of the institution, I had my sights on reactivating that special relationship we had with the NSML. Today the joy and glory is more than I anticipated,” he said.

    Okonna highlighted the long-standing relationship between MAN and NSML, dating back to the early 1990s, noting its impact on Nigeria’s maritime leadership pipeline.

    “The company had a cadetship training program with us which started in the early nineties. Many Cadets from the Maritime Academy of Nigeria were trained by the NSML for their mandatory sea time and many of them went on to become top officers operating NLNG vessels. It is on record that the first Nigerian to Captain their vessel is a former Cadet of MAN, Captain Yusuf Abubakar,” he said.

    The Vice-Chancellor of NMU, Prof. Florence Oluwafemi, also welcomed the development, stressing the need to bridge theory and practice in Nigeria’s maritime education system.

    “This is a dream come true and a very exciting moment for us at NMU. We are grateful to NSML and everyone who has worked hard to make this event possible. In Germany where I studied, we are taken to factories and industries to know what their challenges are and proffer solutions. In Nigeria, our focus is on the theoretical aspect of learning only. We must combine theory and practicals if we are to industrialise,” she said.

    Industry professionals present at the ceremony charged the 20 male and one female cadet selected for UK training to serve as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

    Maritime stakeholders say the combined impact of NSML’s overseas training programme and the additional sea-time slots from Nigerian shipowners marks a critical turning point in building a sustainable pipeline of Nigerian seafarers for both domestic and international shipping markets.

  • Maritime Academy’s council kicks against conversion

    Maritime Academy’s council kicks against conversion

    The Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has cautioned that the ongoing push to convert the institution into a university could derail decades of specialised maritime capacity development it offers the industry.

    Chairman, Governing Council, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Kehinde Akinola, at a media parley, said the proposal threatens the Academy’s international standing, stressing that MAN’s specialised mandate remains critical to the Federal Government’s marine and blue economy agenda.

    He said conversion could also jeopardise its statutory five per cent funding from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    Akinola warned that replacing the Academy with the proposed University of Maritime Studies, would “distort its specialised mandate,” weaken its regimented cadet training system and threaten long-standing international collaborations.

    Besides, he argued that such conversion would immediately strip MAN of access to the statutory five per cent NIMASA revenue allocation, since the NIMASA Act recognises only the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a beneficiary.

    “This would create serious operational challenges for an institution that relies heavily on these funds to maintain its extensive training facilities and infrastructure,” the Council chairman warned.

    Recall that MAN Oron, established in 1977 with technical support from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), was designed as a specialised maritime training institution for cadets, shipboard officers and maritime managers.

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    Akinola further explained that the institution’s enabling Act—Cap M3 LFN 2010, already empowers the Academy to run advanced programmes “without limitation on the type or level of certificates awarded,” aligning it with global maritime training standards.

    While acknowledging that youths from Oron Local Government have the right to seek development for the community, Akinola said the calls for a university should not come at the cost of destabilising a national institution serving the entire maritime sector. He argued that national maritime priorities must take precedence over local interests.

    He also expressed concern over recent actions by the Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), noting that protests, tensions and escalating hostility around the conversion debate were affecting the Academy’s stability, warning that such activities “pose risks to the Academy’s smooth operations and the policy direction of the Federal Government.”

    Highlighting progress under the current administration, Akinola said President Bola Tinubu has positioned MAN as a key driver of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry’s manpower development agenda.

    Since the Governing Council’s inauguration in October 2024, he said the Academy has developed a “five-year strategic plan” aligned with national blue economy goals and secured approval for a Conditions of Service document—its first in 48 years.

    He disclosed that a bill amending the UMSO Act to reaffirm MAN’s status and empower it to award degrees, similar to the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Police Academy, has already passed its first reading at the National Assembly.

    Akinola also referenced MAN’s recent support to host communities, including restoring electricity to Oron after eight years and installing solar-powered streetlights as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

    Citing global examples, he pointed to specialised maritime academies such as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and Kenya’s Bandari Maritime Academy, all of which award degrees while maintaining regimented training systems—proof, he said, that the Academy does not need to be converted into a university to attain degree-awarding status.

    “We will not be intimidated or cowed by any group attempting to appropriate a national asset for narrow interests,” he reiterated, insisting that the Governing Council remains committed to safeguarding the Academy’s mandate.

    These concerns align with the position of the Alumni Association of the of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), which in July 2025 wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu urging him to preserve the Academy’s specialised status.

    In the letter signed by its President, Emmanuel Maiguwa, AMANO cautioned that converting MAN to a university under the Ministry of Education would violate IMO regulations and jeopardise Nigeria’s compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.

    “The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN Oron, is a strategically vital institution, purpose-built to deliver specialised training in accordance with global maritime standards. We respectfully express concern over the proposed conversion of the Academy into a conventional university under the Ministry of Education. This move, while perhaps well-intentioned, poses significant risks,” the letter to President Tinubu read in part.

    It listed the risks to include the loss of international accreditation, particularly under IMO and STCW requirements; the dilution of training quality, stressing that maritime education requires simulators, specialised facilities and technical expertise that a generalised university curriculum may be unable to sustain; reduced global competitiveness, as weakening MAN’s technical focus would likely disadvantage Nigerian cadets seeking international maritime placements and career opportunities and potential national security risks considering that maritime security and port operations require precision-trained personnel, which specialised institutions like MAN Oron are critical to sustaining such competencies.

    They also noted that Nigeria already has a Maritime University in Okerenkoko, one that has struggled outside sector-specific oversight; and that several conventional universities already offer maritime-related degrees under the Ministry of Education.

    The Oron community had celebrated in 2021 when both chambers of the National Assembly passed a bill upgrading MAN to a university, a victory after 40 years of agitation, later gazetted in May 2023.

  • Council raises concerns over MAN conversion to university

    Council raises concerns over MAN conversion to university

    The Governing Council of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has cautioned that the ongoing push to convert the institution into a university could derail decades of specialised maritime capacity development it offers the industry and jeopardise its statutory five per cent funding from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    The council chairman, MAN, Kehinde Akinola, at a media parley, said the proposal threatens the Academy’s international standing, stressing that MAN’s specialised mandate remains critical to the Federal Government’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda.

    Akinola warned that replacing the Academy with the proposed University of Maritime Studies would “distort its specialised mandate,” weaken its regimented cadet training system and threaten long-standing international collaborations.

    Besides, he argued that such a conversion would immediately strip MAN of access to the statutory five per cent NIMASA revenue allocation, since the NIMASA Act recognises only the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as a beneficiary.

    “This would create serious operational challenges for an institution that relies heavily on these funds to maintain its extensive training facilities and infrastructure,” the Council chairman warned.

    Recall that MAN Oron, established in 1977 with technical support from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), was designed as a specialised maritime training institution for cadets, shipboard officers and maritime managers.

    Akinola further explained that the institution’s enabling Act—Cap M3 LFN 2010, already empowers the Academy to run advanced programmes “without limitation on the type or level of certificates awarded,” aligning it with global maritime training standards.

    While acknowledging that youths from Oron Local Government have the right to seek development for the community, Akinola said the calls for a university should not come at the cost of destabilising a national institution serving the entire maritime sector. He argued that national maritime priorities must take precedence over local interests.

    He also expressed concern over recent actions by the Oron Youth Movement (OYOM), noting that protests, tensions and escalating hostility around the conversion debate were affecting the Academy’s stability, warning that such activities “pose risks to the Academy’s smooth operations and the policy direction of the Federal Government.”

    Highlighting progress under the current administration, Akinola said President Bola Tinubu has positioned MAN as a key driver of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry’s manpower development agenda.

    Since the Governing Council’s inauguration in October 2024, he said the Academy has developed a “five-year strategic plan” aligned with national blue economy goals and secured approval for a Conditions of Service document—its first in 48 years.

    He disclosed that a bill amending the UMSO Act to reaffirm MAN’s status and empower it to award degrees, similar to the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Police Academy, has already passed its first reading at the National Assembly.

    Akinola also referenced MAN’s recent support to host communities, including restoring electricity to Oron after eight years and installing solar-powered streetlights as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

    Citing global examples, he pointed to specialised maritime academies such as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and Kenya’s Bandari Maritime Academy, all of which award degrees while maintaining regimented training systems—proof, he said, that the Academy does not need to be converted into a university to attain degree-awarding status.

    “We will not be intimidated or cowed by any group attempting to appropriate a national asset for narrow interests,” he reiterated, insisting that the Governing Council remains committed to safeguarding the Academy’s mandate.

    These concerns align with the position of the Alumni Association of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), which in July 2025 wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu urging him to preserve the Academy’s specialised status.

    In the letter signed by its President, Emmanuel Maiguwa, AMANO cautioned that converting MAN to a university under the Ministry of Education would violate IMO regulations and jeopardise Nigeria’s compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention.

    “The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN Oron, is a strategically vital institution, purpose-built to deliver specialised training in accordance with global maritime standards. We respectfully express concern over the proposed conversion of the Academy into a conventional university under the Ministry of Education. This move, while perhaps well-intentioned, poses significant risks,” the letter to President Tinubu read in part.

    It listed the risks to include the loss of international accreditation, particularly under IMO and STCW requirements; the dilution of training quality, stressing that maritime education requires simulators, specialised facilities and technical expertise that a generalised university curriculum may be unable to sustain; reduced global competitiveness, as weakening MAN’s technical focus would likely disadvantage Nigerian cadets seeking international maritime placements and career opportunities and potential national security risks considering that maritime security and port operations require precision-trained personnel, which specialised institutions like MAN Oron are critical to sustaining such competencies.

    They also noted that Nigeria already has a Maritime University in Okerenkoko, one that has struggled outside sector-specific oversight, and that several conventional universities already offer maritime-related degrees under the Ministry of Education.

    The Oron community had celebrated in 2021 when both chambers of the National Assembly passed a bill upgrading MAN to a university, a victory after 40 years of agitation, later gazetted in May 2023.

  • MAN boss assures on gender equality in maritime sector

    The Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria’s foremost maritime training institution, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (rtd) has assured that the institute will ensure gender equality in the maritime sector.

    The Rector, who spoke during the sidelines of the public forum to mark the World Seafarers Day in Lagos, impressed on stakeholders in the sector the need to encourage women in the nation’s maritime sub-sector.

    While shedding light on the theme of this year’s celebration tagged, ‘On Board With Gender Equality,’ Effedua said it reechoes the need to encourage and support more women to embrace seafaring and other shipping professions towards bridging the male/female gap in global shipping.

    Specifically, Effedua, who was saddled with key functions during the event, said women have what it takes to reach their peak in any career they chose in the global maritime industry because they have the qualities and discipline required to succeed.

    “Women all over the world have proven that they have what it takes to compete with their male counterparts in shipping and other professions. We have females who are commanding very large merchant ships, there are female Pilots, Engineers, Generals, Admirals, Air vice Marshals and others in commanding positions so anyone who thinks females are inferiors to males in any way is definitely living in the past,” he said.

    Expatiating, he said, “We at the Nigerian Navy (I am still very much part of the Naval family), started the Gender Equality campaign long before the IMO and the rest of the world thought of it. We encouraged female Naval personnel on board our vessels and there has never been any case of harassment of any sort even as we speak.”

    On the position of management of the Academy on gender issues the Rector was emphatic that MAN believes in Gender Equality without any prevarication.

    According to the Rector, inasmuch as the Academy upholds gender balance/equality, the Institution does not and will not lower the Academic bar for females when it comes to Academics.

    “Yes, I am on Board with Gender Equality. I believe in it, I preach it and I have always practiced and demonstrated it anywhere I find myself and the Academy is no exception.

    “For instance, during our admission last year, we admitted 28 out of the 29 females who applied for admission into the Academy. They only one not admitted was because of her health status and not because of any other consideration.

    “Those we admitted met the requirements/standards. We won’t lower the Academic bar when it comes to academics because shipping is global and the requirements, rules and regulations are the same all over the world so it’s either you are fit and able or not. There is no bending the rules when it comes to the basics at the Academy.”

    The Rector called on Nigerian ship owners to be conscious of female seafarers when they order for new vessels or even refit their old vessels to accommodate women on board.

    On the issues of harassment and intolerance and lack of consideration by some men for females on board offshore/onshore, the Rector said it will not be out of place to call for legislation on jail term for those who harass females in the maritime industry.

    The Rector stressed that MAN is a regimented institution from inception but following outcry by stakeholders on the strict regimental nature of the Academy, efforts are on towards a review/relaxation of some of the rules such as shaving of hair by females which seems to be attracting interests/attention.

    “Nigerian women in the maritime industry have complained about the shaving of hair by our female Cadets and we are looking at making it a low cut in the nearest future, that should not really be an issue but we also listen to what stakeholders say/suggest. We believe that professionalism should be the major concern but in the spirit of Gender Equality/Balance, we are considering some review,” Effedua said.

  • ‘Restructuring at MAN on course’

    The management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) led by the Rector, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (rtd) has reiterated his commitment to the ongoing restructuring of the Academy, stressing that the exercise is top on his agenda for now.

    Inside sources who spoke with our correspondent at the weekend said, “The Rector, being a consummate maritime professional is working round the clock to reposition the Academy in line with the federal government expectations.

    Specifically, the source said: “Owing to his passion for academic excellence and Cadets’ welfare, the Rector carried out extensive renovation of hostels and classrooms. This move, we are told, has made learning more conducive and attractive at the Academy. This is even as top quality lecturers jostle for employment at the Academy following vacancies advertised by management of the school.”

    Besides, indications are that cost of feeding Cadets has been drastically reduced from about N5million to under N2million weekly under the Rector just as tremendous improvements have been recorded in the quantity and quality of meals served to Cadets of the Academy.

    A maritime stakeholder in Uyo who asked not to be named confided in our correspondent that the Rector has told all in clear words that he wants to focus his time and energy on repositioning the Academy as directed by the federal government.

    The stakeholder, who is very conversant with maritime developments within and outside the country, stated that the Rector hates been dragged into politics of any kind.

    Reliable sources at the Academy further confirmed that several abandoned projects/contracts have been reactivated as all such contractors who were adequately mobilised but abandoned work for reasons best known to them, were summoned by the Rector and asked to report back to site and resume work.

     

  • Maritime Academy: House Committee wants 83 employed

    The House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has advised the management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) to sack 83 staff employed in 2016 without due process.

    Hon. Mohammed Umar-Bago, Chairman, House Committee, gave the advice when he led a delegation of the committee on an oversight function to the academy in Oron on Friday.
    “Rector, the issue of this 83 staff, sack them if their employment did not go through due process, that is how touts are employed. Any employment that does not have approvals means there was never any employment in the first place.

    “It does not make sense to have 700 staff in an academy of just 300 cadets. That means the academy is over bloated. I will encourage you to right-size. Even if people don’t like it, it must still happen.”

    “Don’t be distracted. There is a triangle in MAN, Oron, the first is gossip. They will gossip about you, about every other person, don’t be distracted.”

    Umar-Bago, however, said that if the employment process, after investigations was found fault with unqualified staff, their appointment should be terminated with immediate effect.

    Responding, Commodore Emma Effedua (Rtd) explained that the academy currently has staff strength of 676 staff, stating that 80 per cent of the staff was indigenes of the community, which was against the Federal Character.

    “For the academy, we have 676 staff now. However, when I took over as Rector, I was handed a staff strength of 714 workers which I was not okay with.

    “We did head count with not much success and had to do biometrics, where we now had 676 staff.

    “For cadets, we have 336 students, but most of them will be graduating between August and October.

    “On the issue of the Federal Character in employment processes, it happened a long time ago in this academy. But henceforth, the disadvantaged states will be given first priority in employment processes.

    “We will have to slow down on those from Akwa Ibom. It was a deliberate mischief on the part of the past management of the academy, and it is only when it is balanced that it truly reflects a Federal recruitment pattern.

    “Even as at 2016, 83 people were employed, and I am sure their employment did not go through the House Committee, Federal Civil Service or even the Ministry,” he said.

    The Rector said that 80 per cent of the 83 people employed are from Akwa Ibom, saying the employment process is under investigation right now because there were many illegalities that were observed.

    NAN

  • Maritime experts pass vote of confidence on MAN rector

    Maritime experts pass vote of confidence on MAN rector

    A team of maritime experts from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have expressed confidence in competence and performance of the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, stressing that he has proved his worth and mettle within the shortest possible time.

    The experts gave this commendation during a fact finding, inspection and assessment mission to ascertain the state of facilities at the Academy recently.

    Accompanied by officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the IMO/NIMASA Team inspected classrooms, hostels, Simulator machines and other training facilities at the Academy under the guidance of the Rector, Commodore Effedua Duja (rtd).

    The combined team gave the Effedua-led management team at MAN the nod to continue what they have started and urged the Rector to remain focused on IMO’s guidelines/Regulations on Maritime Education and Trainings.

    The IMO members reminded the Rector the importance of being on the White List and what is required to continue to be on the list and the significance of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping, STCW.

    The Rector reiterated his commitment to the restructuring and repositioning plans of the federal government for the Academy in order to make it a world class maritime training institution.

    Addressing recent development in the Academy, Effedua stated that contrary to speculations by some un-informed individuals who run to publish anything they hear without bothering to verify and clarify the veracity of information given to them by persons in pursuit of their personal interests, the Interim Management Committee, IMC and newly appointed members of the Governing Council have nothing to argue or quarrel about.

    In his words “The IMC and the Council are Nigerians appointed by the Federal Government for the purpose of ensuring that the Academy rises from the lock down of the past and become a world class training institution. The Council is yet to be inaugurated, are some persons saying work at the Academy should stop until the Governing Council is inaugurated by government.

    “I can assure you that some persons do not even know who members of the IMC are not to talk of the governing Council, if they do, they will be more careful in their utterances. Are these by any standard idle, hungry men? They are very busy persons who are sacrificing their time and resources in service to the country in many ways apart from being in the IMC or governing Council.”

  • Academy reviews curriculum to meet world standard

    Academy reviews curriculum to meet world standard

    The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State has said it will carry out a review of course files of all academic programmes offered in the institution.

    To this end, the academy, after the review, is expected to draw up a curriculum for the establishment of Eletro-Technical Office Department which will ultimately boost the training of master mariners and chief engineers.

    The development is part of efforts by the Federal Government to restructure and reposition the premier maritime institution to meet world-class standard.

    To achieve this goal, consultants from REFAST Consulting Company, Ghana, led by the immediate past Rector of Ghana Regional Maritime University, Captain Aaron Turkson are working out modalities of reviewing Classes 1 and 2 Deck and Engine Deck programmes.

    During a recent visit to the academy, Captain Turkson lamented the inability of the institution to train master mariners and chief engineers despite its quality of lecturers and facilities.

    His words: “Our terms of reference are to review Class 1 and 2 Deck and Engine Programmes, take a look at the Course Files of all the programmes offered in the Academy and draw up a curriculum for the establishment of Eletro-Technical Office Department.”

    Turkson decried the nonchalance of young maritime professionals towards teaching in maritime institutions. He observed it was due to low remuneration when compared to what is obtainable in the oil and gas firms in the region.

    The former Rector, who said they were in the Academy to share experiences, further encouraged the lecturers to continue to hold on for as long as their strength could carry them, because, according to him, the dearth of seafarers can only be addressed by provision of same to work in the maritime industry. It’s not easy to find professionals like you.

    “Facilities and buildings do not make institutions, it is the quality of academic programmes and the trainees that make the institution and you are the backbone. So, don’t allow bottlenecks to drag you back,” he said.

    He, however, emphasised the need to encourage young professionals to take up lecturing opportunities in maritime training institutions.

    He also observed that the Academy lacks some relevant simulators such as ECDISS, RADAR ARPA and GMDSS; even as he noted that in the course of their work they would audit the simulators and come out with appropriate recommendations in line with STCW Conventions.

    Dr. Kevin Okonna, who represented the Rector, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, welcomed the visitors to the Academy, saying their engagement was as a result of the Federal Government’s determination to reposition and restructure the nation’s premier maritime education and training institution, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron for global best practices and competitiveness.

    He added that the relevant members of staff would co-operate with them to ensure the quick realisation of the restructuring exercise and wished them a successful stay in the Academy.

    Also speaking, the Director, School of Nautical Studies, Captain Francis Kponu expressed satisfaction over the decision of the Federal Government to seek the counsel of the seasoned professionals.

    He pledged their unflinching support to whatever plan that would move the Academy forward, adding that the only way to bring in young and vibrant professionals into the lecturing job was to beef up the remuneration that is better than what is obtainable now.

    Recall that a member of the Interim Management Committee and CEO/Chairman Starzs Marine Investment Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun revealed that the former Rector of the Regional Maritime University, Ghana, has been engaged to work with the IMC in realisation of its objectives.

    Also present at the meeting were some senior professional lecturers in the Academy. They include Head of Oil and Gas, Captain F. D. Endoyan; Acting Director, School of Marine Engineering, Engr. Maurice Ijeoma; Head of Nautical Science Department, Captain Balogun; Head of Boat/ Ship Building Technology, Engr. William Ekwerre and Head, Marine Meteorology Department, Dr. John Adeyanju, among others.

     

  • Oron youths back Fed Govt on Maritime Academy

    Oron youths back Fed Govt on Maritime Academy

    YOUTH leaders of various groups in the five local government areas of Oron nation in Akwa Ibom State have pledged their support to the development of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.

    The youth commended the efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring that the academy is brought at par in terms of standards with similar training institutions the world over for global competitiveness.

    They stated their position in an interactive session with the Rector of the academy, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd) on Saturday in Oron.

    Speaking, the Rector intimated the youth leaders of plans by the Federal Government to reposition and restructure the academy.

    He enjoined them to shun restive tendencies and embrace peace since no meaningful development could take place in rancorous and violent atmosphere.

    Commodore Effedua, who assured them that the academy’s management would continue to perform its corporate social responsibility to its host community, urged them to unite and form one formidable and cohesive group.

    He also advised the youth to create a research and development unit, where they would carry out research on issues affecting the people and proffer solutions them, even as he urged them to request for assistance when necessary.

    This, according to the Rector, would have a more positive effect on members of the community in terms of development and human empowerment and will also help in writing their names in gold.

    He assured them that the host community would be considered first whenever there is any development programme to be carried out. He also clarified the issue concerning the rumoured sack of members of staff by the Interim Management Committee (IMC).

    He said: “The Interim Management Committee is not here to victimise anybody; it is easy to employ but not easy to sack. There are a lot of procedures involved.”

    The youth, who spoke differently, said they support all the processes that would lead to the development of the Academy.

    Prince Uwe Ebek of the Akpakip Oron Grand land Peace Keeping Association maintained that “the youth are here to see the institution develop into a fully-fledged, world-class Maritime University. We pledge our total support for the development of the Academy”.

    His counterpart, the President of Oron Youth Forum (OYF), Comrade Sunday Odokwo said: “We have heard all you said. I want to state that the Federal Government has lofty plans for the Academy. I also want to state that the Oron people are peace-loving and hospitable and will continue to be so.

    “That’s why people from all climes are resident here. We the youth will join hands with you to ensure our institution attains acceptable and enviable height and standard.”

    In attendance at the interactive forum were youth leaders of Oron Youth Movement, National Association of Nigerian Students, Oron Patriotic Youth Organisation, Oron International Youth Forum, Oron Nation Young Professional, Common People Organisation and Eyo Akan-obio Youth Council, among others.

     

  • Maritime varsity bill tears presidency, lawmakers apart

    Maritime varsity bill tears presidency, lawmakers apart

    The federal government’s plan to upgrade the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, into a university may have hit a brick wall with the rejection of the Federal University of Maritime Studies, ( FUMS ) bill by the National Assembly.

    Findings by The Nation revealed that the proposal to upgrade MAN into a university has pitted several government agencies and lawmakers against each other with many of them working at cross-purposes such that admission into existing programmes for this year’s enrolment may be jeopardised.

    Investigation by our correspondent further revealed that the rejection of the bill by the lawmakers informed the setting up of an ad hoc technical committee with members drawn from the House of Representative Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, the Nigerian University Commission, NUC and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

    Informed sources confided in our correspondent that at the public hearing in Abuja, NIMASA reportedly kicked over the upgrade of MAN into a university, arguing matter-of-factly that MAN should maintain its current status as there was already a newly accredited Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Warri South, Delta state.

    NIMASA’s objection, informed sources further said, may have been fueled by the paucity of funds, a argument it has canvassed to show lack of interest by the Presidency to commit funds to two maritime universities under the present administration, which considers the ongoing ‘strong reforms agenda’ at the Academy as the first step to repositioning the institution towards achieving a reconnect with its lost mandate.

    Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Preye Kinsley, an alumnus of the Academy seems to share the same sentiments with NIMASA, noting that the Academy should focus on its core mandate of providing seafarers for the maritime sub-sector.

    NIMASA’s reluctance notwithstanding, members of the House Committee and some stakeholders including the government of Akwa Ibom state and various Oro nation socio-cultural and political unions have expressed support for the upgrade.

    Expectedly, this year’s admission was put on hold by the restructuring Committee in addition to delay in the resumption of National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students, as directed by the six-man Committee on the Restructuring and Repositioning of the Academy.

    The Nation was reliably informed that there is a committee working on the restructuring and repositioning of MAN, with a mandate to identify a number of concerns, one of which is the poor and unacceptable hostel accommodation for cadets amongst others.

    Our source, who is very well informed on developments at the Academy also told us that of the over 700 personnel in the staff roll, junior staff is only 100 and the rest senior cadre, “how do you explain that?” he asked.

    Our source revealed that personnel of the Academy, particularly the senior management level are on the same page with the reforms agenda and are cooperating with the Committee. He assured that the committee is composed of professionals who are beyond witch hunt or petty, personal agenda.

    Findings further revealed that ship owners have for a while become reluctant in recruiting MAN Oron graduates of nautical science, based on curriculum reservations and perceived poor teaching quality and lack of basic training facilities/equipment at the Academy.

    However, one time rector of MAN, Chief Nseyen Ebong agreed that quality has become a major challenge in the certification of cadets of the Academy, he debunked claims that products of the institution were unmarketable and uncompetitive. The former rector noted that cadets of the Academy are on top in academics and practical endeavors in many maritime institutions across the world.

    “I have said it many times before that some of our cadets excel and are leading in both academic and practical training exercises in most maritime academies in Europe, Asia and America. But when those in power begin to play politics with funding of the Academy, there has arisen a gradual fall in standards and quality, you cannot take that away as a natural consequence. So what we have at MAN today is the crime of political recklessness and arrogance,” he said.