From Digitalization to Simulators the journey continues

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, has been in the news in recent time for reasons bothering on the restructuring and repositioning mandate given to the Rector, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, (rtd), by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mohammadu Buhari.

While maritime professionals and stakeholders alike have expressed satisfaction with the modest achievements recorded at the Academy in the last three years, the Rector insists that there is still much work to be done.

Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Transport Minister, Nigeria

For instance, during the Passing Out Parade, POP, held at the ultra-modern Auditorium of the Academy late last year, Chairman, Senate Committee on Maritime Transport, Senator Danjuma Goje while lamenting the maritime manpower deficit in the sector, challenged the government to create employment opportunities and further raise the manpower development capacity of the Academy.

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

Former Rector of the Academy Engr. Olu Akinsoji alongside Chief Adebayo Sarumi former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, as well as industry heavy weights such as Barrister Temisan Omatseye, Former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Former President of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN and other distinguished personalities, commended the Effedua led management team at MAN for a job well done.

According to Engr. Akinsoji “This administration has recorded tremendous achievements deserving of recognition and further support from well-meaning Nigerians.”

Prior to the POP, Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, who visited the Academy as part of their oversight function asked for more developmental work to be done at the Academy to bring it at par with other Maritime Academies in the world even as they noted that MAN has surpassed many Maritime Academies in the West African sub region.

The Rector with Reps on facility tour at the Academy

According to Lynda Ikpeazu, Chairman of the Committee “We have seen what the Rector has done and we are very happy. What he has done is an indication that with the right appointment, much can be achieved. As a committee, it is our conviction that competence should trump politics when it comes to making appointments if Nigeria is to make greater progress among the comity of nations”.

Read more  https://maritimenig.com/2021/12/REPS-SEEK-GREATER-DEVELOPMENT-AT-MAN

With commendations, expression of faith and approval for what is being done at the Academy, the National Assembly members pledged to support MAN in its quest for global competitiveness and make the School the envy of other maritime Academies within and beyond the West African sub region. They also expressed concern on how to sustain and consolidate on the progress made at MAN even as the Rector insisted that restructuring and repositioning the Academy for global competitiveness is a task that he is irreversibly committed to accomplish.

Read more  https://maritimenig.com/2021/12/REPS-SEEK-ADMISSION-AT-MAN

“Our focus as we move onwards shall be on Capacity Building, Teaching Equipment and International Exposure for our staff.  We are done with structures and facilities. The next phase in the restructuring mandate is to train our lecturers and staff to improve their capacities to deliver on assigned duties in the Academy”, the Rector told the honourable members.

Launch of Simulators

With the launch of the Multi-Functional Classroom, Full Mission Bridge and Full mission Engine Room simulators at the Academy by the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi recently,  a new vista for professional Training and Manpower development has been opened in Nigeria.

The Rector making clarifications to the minister at the Engine Room Simulator

Read more  https://maritimenig.com/2021/12/MAN-LAUNCHES-ITS-SIMULATORS

Speaking during the ceremony, the Minister who was assisted by the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, FMOT, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, and other top officials of the ministry stated that the standards set by MAN would become the benchmark for all Maritime Academies in Nigeria with timelines set for specific objectives under close monitoring by the FMOT.

When asked about the capabilities and possibilities with the Simulators installed at MAN, the Rector said:

“We have the the multifunctional, Full Mission Bridge and Engine Room Simulators. The Multi-Functional Classroom Simulator is a combination of eight additional Simulators which have their softwares installed for specific purposes. For instance, if the instructor wants to teach on Rules of the Road or Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, GMDSS , etc all he needs to do is change the settings and he is good to go”.

“Everything you saw at the full Bridge Simulator Room can be achieved from the multifunctional Classroom. This is the latest technology in the world and it is not easily accessed in the market. The old generic simulator can only perform very limited functions”.

Read more  https://maritimenig.com/2021/2/LAUNCH-OF-SIMULATORS-NO-NEED-TO-GO-ABROAD-ANYMORE-RECTOR

“When we say multifunctional that is exactly what it is. The possibilities are endless.  We have the equipment, we have the instructors, but if anyone decides to go abroad it is a matter of choice. Outside of this country this kind of training goes for $2, 000 or more but here we will give the same training, same certification using same simulators for far less”.

The Multi Functional Classroom Simulator

“The Federal government wants to build capacity for Nigerians. It is not about profit-making, so we are going to crash the cost of training to enable as many Nigerians as possible, take advantage of these modern simulators to develop the maritime and oil and Gas industries for the good of the country”, the Rector emphasized.

Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Equipment, HUET.

The Rector also hinted on the arrival its Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Equipment, HUET, which is been eagerly expected at the Academy.

Speaking on the development, the Rector said “It is part of our resolve to put the Academy on the world map and make it competitive and attractive. We are not looking at Nigeria alone but the entire West African Sub Region. The Nigerian Maritime Industry is set for a revolution in terms of professionalism and cutting edge expertise which will come from the trainings we provide.”

Evidently, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is well prepared and set to offer world class training for maritime and Oil and Gas professionals from within and outside Nigeria with eyes on the future.