“We need all the Support”-Rector

The Rector, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd) and SOAN President, Dr. Mc George Onyung at the new Auditorium of the Academy.

President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Dr. McGeorge Onyung, has led other Executive members of the Association to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, to find out ways and means of addressing the global issue of Sea Time for Cadets of the Academy.

Receiving the SOAN delegation, Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, (rtd) stressed that with Sea Time  Cadets will become exposed to real and practical life on sea, an experience which they never had but which is primarily designed to boost their competency and make them marketable across the world in line with international best practices for Cadets from maritime Academies.

Commodore Effedua stated that exposure of Cadets to sea time on vessels has become imperative because of the current strategic agenda of restructuring and repositioning of the Academy into a world class institution, which consist of launching its Cadets into the competitive global market.

Specifically Effedua said “To truly merit the name of seafarers as well as meet their professional expectations, Cadets must be given proper training in line with international standards. This involves undergoing the compulsory Sea Time training”.

“The present Management of the Academy is after excellence and professionalism of Cadets, we have taken action to ensure that everything possible is done to make our Cadets competitive anywhere, anytime in the world”.

 “That is why we are very grateful to the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria for its consistent support and the current assurances by the new leadership. Let me mention that the Academy has moved from where it was previously and is gaining respect and recognition”.

The Rector told the visiting Ship Owners that practical steps already taken include rapid infrastructural renaissance, employment of core professionals to handle courses, change of mental orientation for cadets; procurement of modern equipment in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards and reduction of Cadets’ population to enhance quality.

Other restructuring efforts mentioned by the Rector include the provision of new hostels, modern and functional survival training pool as well as robust partnership with affiliate bodies on staff capacity-building.

Effedua noted that, like some other projects, the survival pool that has just been remodeled and completed had been abandoned for 19 years. He maintained that his dream is to have foreign Cadets and other maritime professionals in the Academy.

While thanking the SOAN President and his team for the visit, the Rector, however, like the proverbial Oliver Twist, requested more support especially in the area of Sea Time for Cadets and their engagement upon graduation from the Academy.

The SOAN President, Dr. McGeorge Onyung, emphasized that the decision by the organization to visit and also support the Academy in critical areas of needs was motivated by the commitment of the present Management and the rapid transformation that the Academy has witnessed.

In his words, “We have heard so much about your unflinching commitment towards the repositioning and restructuring of the Academy. This is my first time in this place since the establishment of this institution more than 40 years ago. As I arrived, I was first captivated by the ambience of the Academy’s environment that tells the story from the gate.”

“I must commend the Rector and his management team for their vision, commitment and taste for quality. What I have seen is a sharp contrast to the previous stories of poor management, obsolete or complete lack of quality infrastructure, dearth of modern training equipment, half-baked Cadets and inadequate professionals to handle core maritime courses”.

“I can now say that the Academy has a future. It is on course. I am quite satisfied. This is what gives us the courage and incentive to encourage this institution the more. It all points to the fact that with the right person in the right place, things can work in this country”, the SOAN boss stressed”.

We recall the an IMO delegation, Maritime Consultants from India and Ghana, Former minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administrations and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA are among dignitaries that have visited the Academy under the Effedua led management.

Maritime stakeholders are upbeat that it is a new dawn at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.

Report by Edet Okpo from the Academy and Kelvin Kagbare in Lagos