Blue Economy: Academy Leads Ministerial Implementation Action Plan On Seafarers

As MAN Intensifies efforts on regional Integration and Certification of Seafarers

 

“Nigeria is prepared to push for a more equitable maritime regulatory framework that acknowledges disparities in national capacities, supports accessible climate-smart shipping technologies, and fosters practical cooperation in the development of sustainable blue economies between island nations and African coastal states like Nigeria” Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON,  Nigeria’s Hon Minister, Marine and Blue Economy

 

During the diplomatic shuttles and engagements leading to Nigeria’s reelection in Category C of the International Maritime Organization, IMO, Council elections late last year, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, was unequivocal  that Nigeria quest for a seat at the IMO Council was and still remains to speak for and use its continental influence to help African countries achieve their maritime/shipping development goals and objectives.

 

With the Category C seat secured under the leadership and guidance of the minister after close to two decade hiatus, Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs, under the Blue Economy Ministry are walking the talk and ensuring that the minister’s promises are not only realized but implemented as Key Performance Indicators, KPIs and timelines have been outlined and targets set for each of the MDAs under the ministry.

 

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, as a globally certified and renowned Maritime Education and Training Institution, METI, under the Blue Economy ministry, is leading the charge as it rallies African countries for ratification of training modules for METIs in the West and Central African sub region towards harmonization of professional certifications, Sea time and resolutions of training challenges.

 

Acting Rector of the Academy, Dr. Kevin Okonna, in furtherance of his vision in partnerships and collaborations in order to achieve global excellence in maritime education and training within the African continent-in actualization of Oyetola’s Blue Economy outlook, hosted training regional METIs as a step to fostering standardization of professional certificates issued in the region.

 

In collaboration with the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), lead by Dr. Paul Adalikwu as Secretary General, regional heads of Maritime Education and Training Institutions from the Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM), Côte d’Ivoire and the Regional Maritime University (RMU), Ghana with other maritime experts and professionals, spent days at the Academy brain storming on resolving common issues/challenges encountered  by METIs in the sub region.

Under the theme “Advancing Maritime Education and Training Across West and Central Africa” articulated framework for collaboration among the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Regional Maritime University (RMU) Accra, Ghana and the Académie Régionale des Sciences et Techniques de la Mer (ARSTM) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, was outlined and discussed  as participating METIs resolved to sign MoU after the Third Exchange Visit to establish a unified framework of strategic partnership and cooperation in the areas of  Curriculum Harmonization, Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP),  Establishment of a MOWCA Coordinated Framework for Faculty and Student Exchange and Shared Use of Sea-Time Berths and Training Vessels.

 

Other resolutions reached include  shared use of Training Facilities to cover library resources, workshops and simulators, Joint Research Initiatives, Funding for Research and Capacity Building and Promotion of Bilingual Proficiency (English and French).

In the words of  the acting Rector of  MAN, Dr. Kevin Okkona “The visit aims at forging partnership amongst the Maritime Administrations of States in the sub-region for the purpose of recognition of certificates in line with the provisions of the International Convention on Standard of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers (1978 STCW Convention) as amended. This inaugural visit is the beginning  of more collaborations, stronger partnerships and sustained progress”

“The success of this works shop should not end with our discussions here. This milestone should serve as a catalyst for sustained corporation and concrete implementation of the recommendations and action points that have emerged from this engagement” the Ag Rector said.

“Together we can position our METIs to meet global standards and respond effectively to the evolving demands of the blue economy, maritime security, decarbonization and technological advancement”, the Secretary General appealed.

 

Secretary General of MOWCA, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, commended the Blue Economy minister for his leadership and support. He also thanked Dr. Okonna, management and staff of MAN for the excellent facilities made available for the conference.

 

“The success of this workshop should not end with our discussions here; our resolutions should serve as a catalyst for sustained corporation and concrete implementation of the recommendation and action points that have emerged from this engagement. Together, we can position our METIs to meet global standards and respond effectively to the evolving demands of the blue economy, maritime security, decarbonization issues, emission challenges and emerging technological advancements”, the Secretary General said.

In line with Article 8 of the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter, 2010, participating METIs agreed to accelerate the harmonization of their training curricula to reflect current updates in line with required standards as MOWCA was tasked to facilitate a tripartite committee with membership from each METI to coordinate the process-paving the way for mutual recognition of certificates and the global competitiveness of seafarers from the sub-region.

 

With the successful hosting and push for regional harmonization of training modules, certification and common use of training equipment/exchange programmes by METIs in the West and Eastern sub regions of Africa, the Maritime Academy asserts itself as the  lead agency in the  implementation and actualization of ministerial blue economy objectives.