Commend FMOT, NIMASA, Rector and Stakeholders

By Christopher Eyo in Uyo

l/R: Ferdinand Agu, Rector and Rear Admiral Olugbode at the Multi Functional Classroom Simulator

Former Director General of the defunct National Maritime Authority (NMA) which has transformed to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Ferdinand Agu has said that he is impressed at the unparalleled transformation at Nigeria’s premier maritime education and training institution, the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN.

Ferdinand Agu who stopped by the Academy during a visit to Akwa Ibom State said he was fascinated,  impressed and satisfied by the ambience, serenity saturating  the learning environment and the quality of training equipment and facilities put in place by the management team led by the Rector, Commodore Duja Effedua Effedua (Rtd).

Ferdinand Agu tries the Ocular Vision Simulator at the Academy

While commending the Rector for his visionary leadership and efforts, Agu appreciated the Federal Ministry of Transportation, FMOT and other revered maritime stakeholders for their invaluable contributions towards the extraordinary evolution following the dogged restructuring and repositioning of the Academy and its transformation into an institution of global reckoning and excellence in maritime education and training.

The Former NIMASA boss who was accompanied on the visit by the Nigeria Navy Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode were very delighted by the modern training facilities such as the Simulators consisting of the Multi-Functional Classroom, Full Mission Bridge and Full mission Engine Room simulators.

Apart from the Swimming pools, Agu and Rear Admiral Olugbode also saw the Helicopter underwater Escape Training (HUET)  and Ocular Vision Training Equipment which they tested.

They both expressed satisfaction with what has been done at the Academy to provide exceptional quality training to the various categories of manpower required for the effective operation of  Merchant Navy ships and other category of vessels.

Navy Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode using the Ocular Vision Simulator

The former DG expressed unwavering optimism for the Nigerian maritime sector, saying he foresees a very bright future for the sector if what has been done at MAN could be replicated at other agencies/institutions.

“I must say, this has been the most fulfilling part of my visit to Akwa Ibom State. I have witnessed what I regard as the most transformed institution in the history of our maritime sector. The positive changes in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is mind boggling. I salute the Rector and the excellent people who have supported him to achieve this level of excellence”

“I have visited several Maritime Academies within and outside Africa. The quality of equipment, the facilities, the ambience of the Man environment are things you rarely come across anywhere”, Agu said.

On his part Rear Admiral Olugbode said he was not surprised at what he saw at the Academy.

“I have known the Rector for decades. We know him for excellence when he was with us at the Navy as a stickler for perfection. In fact, I would have been surprised if I have seen anything less than what I have seen and I do not think it is finished yet, with Duja you can be sure he has a lot up his sleeves”

Also see  https://maritimenig.com/2022/10/wmd-maritime-academy-of-nigeria-ready-for-the-future-rector

“It is a thing of joy, a national pride to behold an Academy of this global standard. Where do you find such equipment and facilities of this quality and class”? The Rector and his management team have performed exceptionally well, Admiral Olugbode said.

The Rector who was apparently happy to receive the visitors thanked them for finding time to come see things for themselves at the Academy.

Also see  https://maritimenig.com/2022/10/minister-visits-academy-commits-to-further-development

“We are always happy when stakeholders come around. This gives them the opportunity to get firsthand experience and not hearsay. We do not prepare for visitors, come anytime you want to, we are ready to receive you. We do not have time to window dress or makeup anything, what you see is what we are. Whatever your views are, we welcome them and we move on”

“The Academy has ungone tremendous reengineering and transformation. We made sacrifices, went through pains, i was called names, petitioned and castigated but i stuck to my vision which my team bought into and the result is what stakeholders are seeing today”

I have said it before and i will say it again “In terms of preparation and equipment for training, we are on top in Africa and among the best in the world. There is nothing in any other academy anywhere in the world  that we don’t have; the only difference is the colour of the skin. Some people still want to see the white man’s presence before things can happen, that is not true.  Things have changed for good and we thank all those who have worked with us to bring us to where we are”

“Any maritime, oil and gas and other category of worker desiring to progress in their careers should come get training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria. Going outside Nigeria for training which we can provide at cheaper rates is double tragedy for such persons because such a trip is a waste of time and money” the Rector reiterated