Calls For Greater Collaboration With Stakeholders

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

With some of the most modern, built for purpose/customized Simulators in the world procured and installed for training purposes at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, the Rector of the institution, Commodore Duja Effedua Emmanuel (rtd) has assured and continues to insist that the Academy is ready for the world to train, teach and prepare Cadets for the global shipping community.

Speaking with our correspondent, the Rector said the journey and efforts to reposition the Academy has been very tough and tasking. Notwithstanding, the Rector expressed appreciation to all agencies, groups, organizations and individuals who stood with and remain firmly in support of the Academy in the ongoing restructuring of the Academy.

In his words “Implementation of the mandate given me to restructure and reposition the Academy has not been easy. There are internal and external forces against the development of the Academy”.

“This group of people in collaboration with their cohorts, tried everything to make sure the Academy remain where it was before this management took over. They resisted the change with everything-lies, blackmail, threats, petitions, accusations and all kinds of negativities”.

“We stood firm, called their bluff and concentrated on implementing the directive of the Federal Government. What you see today at the Academy is the result of hard work, sacrifices, stepping on toes and refusing to give in to demands from several quarters, thereby becoming an enemy to some why being embraced and encouraged by many others”.

When asked about the quality of training equipment available at the Academy, the Rector said “At the moment we have the best Simulators in African. Outside of Africa, very few countries have the kind of Simulators that we have”

“Heads of several training institutions are in touch with us to assist them achieve their training needs”.

“Our simulators were commissioned late last year. Between the Multifunctional Classroom Simulator, the Full Mission Bridge Simulator and the Engine Room Simulator, I do not know what we cannot achieve. The multifunctional classroom alone is a combination of several simulators that lecturers can adjust or set to meet their needs. As the name implies that simulator is truly multifunctional, there is no end to what it can do”

Training Cost

“Specialized courses cost from $2,000 outside the country; by the time you add cost of transportation, accommodation, feeding and other logistics, $3000 or more could be spent on a single training program”

“The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is a national training institution. The Federal Government of Nigeria intends to train and empower our citizens to be able to work competently in the maritime and Oil and gas sectors of Nigeria as well as provide support for neighbouring countries too”

“We are therefore offering huge discounts and crashing training cost so that there will be no excuse on account of affordability”

“Like I have said before we are not in competition; other academies can come and use our equipment for their training needs at next to nothing charges”

Lecturers

“We have the best lecturers any academy can boast of. Apart from the foreign lecturers we boast of, the number of certified, highly-trained lecturers we have makes the Academy very attractive and competitive now”.

“Highly placed persons are seeking admission for their wards at the Academy because of what they have seen. Our lecture theatres, Hostels, Chartrooms, Refectory, Computer Rooms and others are IMO compliant”

Language barrier?

“There is no language barrier. The world has become a global village and interactions have become very easy, we are looking at meeting the training needs of non-English-speaking Cadets and off-shore professionals outside Nigeria who are knocking on our doors. It is a new chapter in the history of the Academy and everything is being done to meet that need”

With support and backing by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, FMOT, parastatals/agencies, the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, NAMM, which visited the Academy few days after the ministerial visit following the reappointment of the Rector for another four-year tenure, stakeholders are optimistic that the Academy has regained its lost glory and has taken its rightful place among recognized Maritime Academies in the world.