As he Bags LCCI Maritime CEO of the year Award

The Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Commodore Duja Effedua Emmanuel (rtd), has called on all well-meaning, development inclined maritime stakeholders to support the Maritime Academy of Nigeria as restructuring efforts gathers momentum at the Academy.

Speaking at the sidelines of a public function in Lagos, Effedua emphasized that the directive by the Federal Government to Restructure and Reposition the Academy is fully on course as management and staff of the Academy have keyed into Government’s renewed interest to take the Academy to the next level.

In his words “We are aware of the expectations from Nigerians to see the Academy take its rightful place among global Maritime Academies.  The Presidency gave me marching orders to Restructure the Academy, turn it around and make it attractive and competitive. The unprecedented number of admission seekers we had in the 2018/2019 Academic year is a pointer to our restructuring efforts which has made the Academy more attractive to young school leavers and  professionals seeking career progression in their respective areas of specialization in the maritime and Oil and Gas Sectors”

While regretting the constraints limiting admission into the Academy, the Rector averred that more Students could be admitted if the ongoing infrastructural upgrade and repositioning efforts get the desired support from Maritime Stakeholders.

Specifically, Effedua said funding remains a crucial issue as more modern and sophisticated navigational and training equipment are been churned out by inventors almost on daily basis.

According to the Rector, “The Maritime space is very dynamic. Things are changing very fast every day. There are countless books and journals out there to buy and study. Newer, bigger vessels are being constructed, navigational tools/equipment have become more computerized than ever before, simulators and other training equipment are been remodeled and made Smarter, all these things/issues require funding if we are to keep pace, stay informed and remain compliant”, the rector said.

Asked if he is getting the expected support, Effedua said;

“Of course, stakeholders have been very supportive and cooperative with us in the ongoing restructuring and repositioning drive. I know how many calls I get daily from concerned stakeholders on how to reposition the Academy. There are those who out of ignorance or outright mischief tend to misinform the public, there are also those who seem to misunderstand and get confused with what we are doing, we take time to explain things to them and a lot of them have come to know the Academy better through our continuous dialogue”

The Rector said considerable achievements have been recorded in the past one year considering where the Academy was and where it is now. He admitted that there is still a lot of work to be done but expressed great optimism on the future of the Academy.

“At this point in time I do not need any distractions. We know where we are going and we shall surely get there. All I ask for is support and collaboration. We are focused on delivering on the Presidential Mandate to Reposition the Academy. Anyone who is not sure or confused on issues should get through to us. Turning the Academy around is a national assignment which I am fully committed to.

While stakeholders, members of the National Assembly, groups and association continue to commend the Rector and his management team, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in appreciation of and in order to spur and galvanize Effedua and his team for greater performance, nominated and crowned Effedua the Maritime CEO of the year 2018.

Though we could not get the Rector’s reaction as at the time of writing this reports, feelers from the Academy indicate that the Award has been received as a call to greater dedication by the Effedua led management to the task of staying alert and awake at the steering wheel of MAN.