“Its Deployement of Existing Infrastructure”-Rector

Even as Covid19 sends the world scampering for safety and protection from the pandemic, the endemic nature of the virus has necessitated and ensured the closure of all learning institutions around the world.

Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (rtd.), Rector, MAN

While many top universities lecturers and students are unable to attend classes for lectures, the story is different for Cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.

Though the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd), sent his Cadets home as a proactive measure for their safety and wellbeing, online lectures have since commenced at the Academy, unifying lecturers and Cadets of the Academy in a virtual world.

A Lecture theatre at the Academy

Speaking with Maritime Nigeria on the development, the Rector explained, “We prepared for this long ago by giving all our Cadets free laptops for their use. These Laptops were professionally configured and loaded with relevant course materials for all Cadets of the Academy. This is in addition to some other very important handbooks which we also gave our Cadets free,”

Free Books Given to Cadets

“The infrastructure for seamless online lectures has long been established at the Academy by the present management because we know we are in a fast moving technological age and the only way to keep track and pace is to think ahead and plan ahead”

“We have an IT department that has been strengthened and prepared for situations where physical contact should not be a hindrance to lectures/operations at the Academy. We did not plan for Covid19, nobody saw it coming but we have to take advantage of the existing infrastructure which we have put in place to address and take care of our needs”

“So, it is basically the deployment of our resources to facilitate and meet our needs that has activated for our online classes to keep our Cadets busy and up to date on their Course outlines and lectures”

In one of such classes which we witnessed and participated in, the topic “Handling of Liquid Cargo” on Board was discussed.

MAN Cadets in Class

The lecturer, Mr. Adebowale Babalola, emphasized that handling of Liquid Cargo on board any vessel must been done with focus on prevention of pollution of the marine environment.

He outline the three major steps in the handling of Liquid Cargo to include- Prepare, Perform and Wrap up stages. The Before, During and After processes of effective handling of Liquid Cargo were also dwelt on by the lecturer.

The interaction between lecturer and Cadets was infectious and lively as questions and answers provided elicited laughter and warmth.

Asked how long the online lectures have been on,  the Rector said, “We have been doing this for weeks. Every morning we prepare and dress up for classes. I participate in as many as I can. Other management staff are also always in attendance to see and follow what is being done. We all take notes which we compare to enable us improve on what we are doing. Our Cadets have no excuses because they have been prepared for this before now”

The coming of Effedua to carry out the restructuring and repositioning of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is definitely on course as unprecedented developments unfold in torrents at the Academy.

From the Digital new gate to the Nautical building down to the Swimming Pool, the Effedua signature echoes within the Academy.

Swimming Pool of the Academy

While some followers of developments at the Academy refer to the Rector as a jinx breaker, pathfinder and master strategist, others call him the Chief Navigator, Change Agent and General (which he is) of the Academy.

“I am just a face in the crowd”, the Rector insist.

As the days go by, it is very likely that more unparalleled developments are waiting to “erupt” at the Academy even as maritime stakeholders watch keenly.