As Rector Reaffirms Regional Superiority Of MAN

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, today held the Passing Out Parade, POP, for 157 Cadets of the Academy who met and fulfilled all academic requirements for the Award of Higher National Diploma, HND and National Diploma, ND, certificates respectively.

Addressing the 66 HND/91 ND graduands of the Academy and maritime stakeholders who graced the event, the Minister of  Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the Blue Economy holds enormous potentials which the graduating Cadets must take advantage of without hesitation.

In the Minister’s words, “I am deeply honoured to to be with you as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of the youthful men and women who are about to embark on a new chapter of their lives”.

His Excellency, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister, Marine and Blue Economy

“Today is not just a day of graduation; it is a day of commencement, a day that symbolizes the dedication, hard work, and resilience that these cadets have exhibited throughout their rigorous training.

“To the graduating cadets, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. You have successfully navigated the challenges of the maritime academy, proving your mettle and commitment to this noble profession.

“As you embark on your maritime career, remember that the sea is vast and unpredictable, your training here has equipped you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the oceans with precision and expertise”.

“The maritime industry plays a pivotal role in the economic growth and development of our nation and it relies on trained personnel like you to maintain its sustainability and operational efficiency”

“I also want to acknowledge the dedication of the staff of the Academy for their unwavering commitment to shaping the future leaders of our maritime sector”

“Your guidance has been instrumental in nurturing these cadets into skilled and responsible professionals”.

“Let me also assure you that the commitment of this administration to the transformation of the maritime industry is genuine as the Federal Government is confident that through it economic growth in the areas of job/wealth creation and diversification of the Economy could be achieved”

While reiterating that the Blue Economy is a key driver of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, the minister assured the graduating Cadets and maritime stakeholders that efforts aimed at resolving sea time issues are in top gear as extensive consultations are being carried out for a definite policy framework that could resolve the sea time challenge, permanently.

On his part, the Rector of the Academy, Cdre. Duja Emmanuel Effedua (rtd) admonished the Cadets to imbibe the culture of humility at all times in the course of their careers.

“Let me assure and reassure the honourable minister that the Academy has evolved and attained international recognition”

With pictures and illustrations from slides, the Rector showed practical clips of courses/traning done abroad and what the Academy offers.

“As you can see, there is nothing done abroad that we cannot do here because we have the equipment and the lecturers to deliver same if not better training to maritime and oil and gas professionals”

“The Academy has come of age and the facilities we have are first-class. We offer simulator based courses which are not done in any other country in the West Africa sub region”

“Nigeria is presently on the White List of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and that is on the strength and capacity of the Academy”.

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

“The IMO recognizes and supports us, the Abuja MoU is working with us, we have many of our cadets working on board vessels around the world, these are proof of our global recognition and acceptability”

“Persons who look for operational gaps or abrupt, unexpected system failure to make rude, unpatriotic statements must be ignored because such persons do not mean well for this country”

The Rector thanked stakeholders in their support for and contributions to the transformation of the Academy even as he admitted that there is plenty of work to be done to consolidate on the global status of MAN.

Delivering a brief goodwill message at the 2023 POP, the founder and proprietor of the Certified Institute of Shipping Nigeria (CISN) and Coastal Polytechnic, Professor Alex Favour Okwuashi, thanked the Rector and his management team for making Nigeria proud in the task of repositioning the Academy.

“Thank you for the marvelous work you have done here. I thank the  team at MAN and Cadets as well for lifting up the hands of Moses”

“The Academy has become a place of pride to Nigeria, Africa and the world. As ambassadors of the Blue Economy, do not disappoint us as the Academy has built and equipped you for the industry”, Okwauashi told the passing out Cadets.

Prayer for Rough Seas and Licence for Errors.

Captain Sunday Umoren,  Secretary General of the Abuja MoU on Port State Control for West and Central African region, in his remarks at the 2023 POP ceremony at MAN said:

“Rough seas they say make the best sailors. I pray  that you face rough seas, but may it never consume you, be strong and courageous as you are bound to face rough weather and tough choices as you venture into the world of global shipping”

President, Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, (AMANO), Mr. Emmanuel Maiguwa, advised the Cadet not to be afraid to make mistakes.

“No mistakes no learning. Take chances, be bold,  you have a license from me to make mistakes for now because the time will come when mistakes will not be tolerated” Maiguwa said.

Engr. Israel Obadan, President of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), urged the graduating Cadets to become members of AMES in order to enjoy free mentorship from experienced members.

Dignitaries at the 2023 POP

President of the National Association of Master Mariners, NAMM, Capt. Tajudeen Alao, charged the Cadets to be of good conduct.

Like previous POPs, the 2023 ceremony also featured top ranking Cadet who distinguished themselves academically.

They include Best Cadet, HND Nautical Science, Esua James Maxwell; Best Cadet, HND Marine Engineering, Igweike Nkem Jeremiah; Best Cadet HND, Marine Transport and Business Studies, and overall best female HND cadet, Udiminue Mary Sunday.

Igweike Nkem emerged the overall best HND cadet and overall best 2023 graduating student.

In the National Diploma (ND) category, Nwakuche Supreme Celestine emerged as Best cadet in Nautical Science, the Best cadet in Marine Engineering, Okafor Emmanuel Chukwuemeka; Best cadet in Electrical Electronic Engineering, Augustine Emmanuel Oromose; Maritime Transport and Business Studies, Ogidan Iyioluwa Rhema; while Okafor Emmanuel emerged overall best ND cadet.

PRE-GRADUATION CEREMONIES

Preceding the POP were retreats and counselling sessions anchored by renowned professionals for the graduating Cadets.

Some of the resource persons who addressed and counselled the graduating Cadets under the theme “Evolving Career Opportunities in the Global Blue Economy.” include, Rear Adrm. Francis Akpan (rtd) Dr. Kelvin Okonna and other industry professionals.

In his paper titled; “Emerging Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Workforce in the Blue Economy”, Rear Adm. Francis Akpan (rtd) said that good governance would enhance the future of the blue economy in the country.

While calling for the right policy framework, legislation and adequate funding for the realization of the Presidential vision for establishing the Blue Economy ministry, he advised the graduating Cadets to look into benefiting from the huge job/business opportunities which the Blue Economy provides for all citizens.

He informed the cadets that there are opportunities for them in the areas of maritime services such as; ship brokering and charter services.

Describing the Blue Economy as a major diversification from oil as main stay of the Nigerian economy, he told the cadets that opportunities exist for them in the areas of maritime services such as; ship brokering, charter services, insurance services, naval architecture, fleet management, marine risk management, Maritime law arbitration, cargo handling and more.

“The cumulative effect of direct and indirect jobs from maritime tourism will help reduce the nation’s unemployment level,” Akpan said.

Dr Kevin Okonna, in his paper titled; “Digitalisation in the Maritime Industry and the Prospect/Challenges for Skilled Maritime Workforce” insisted that Digitalisation is crucial for the maritime industry.

He said that digitisation is transforming analogue data to digital, such as converting paper documents to PDF while digitalisation is utilising technology to enhance corporate processes, such as using Zoom to hold meetings.

“The support of digital technologies is essential to better manage sea transportation,” Okonna said.

Okonna commended the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua, who has ensured the digitisation of all departments in the institution.

He reminded cadets that it was because of the digitisation of the Academy that lectures were not affected at MAN during the Covid19 pandemic.

Dr. Okonna therefore tasked the Cadets to stay focused and be good ambassadors of the Academy and country wherever they find themselves.