By Sunny Edemenang – South-South
The Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), has charged the 2021 graduating cadets of the Academy to instill discipline as part of their training, even as the graduands were encouraged to display high level professionalism.
Speaking from their work experience, the Alumni encouraged the new graduands to be ready to endure tough conditions to gain the needed experience that will make them compete favourably with their peers around the world.
The Secretary General of Association, Captain Garbage Gajere, gave this directive on Wednesday, during the end of the three days lecture as part of the weeklong activities for the graduating cadets at the Academy, under the theme, “Seafarers and Shipping Career Development Paths After School-Based Training”.
He advised the cadets not to place pecuniary rewards during their period of internship above the acquisition of the mandatory experience which is a tool for maximizing emerging opportunities in the maritime sector.
In his paper titled, “Alumni and Networking”, the Sea Captain charged the cadets not to see themselves outside the Academy after graduating, but to be part of the community of AMANO in any of the chapters they may be located.
Gajere, however, opined that the cadets graduated at the right time because operations in the maritime industry are picking up after the lull ocassioned by the COVID 19 pandemic. He added that an improvement has given rise to offshore contracts with more vessels around to create opportunities for placement of cadets onboard.
Day 3 activities for the graduating Cadets were devoted to AMANO to showcase their brand and project the image of the Academy, their alma mater, even as they counselled the cadets.
Responding to questions from our correspondent on the standard and pace of developments at the Academy since he graduated, Gajere said “the standard in terms of infrastructure is superb compared to what I have seen in some foreign countries”.
The Secretary General of AMANO who graduated from the Academy in 2004, commended the Management of the Academy headed by Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd) for the quantum leap in standards and infrastructural transformation within a short period.
“Everything has changed, including the grass in its lushness. I think, for my colleagues who have not been here for a while would not believe this is the Maritime Academy”, he quipped.
Other papers presented by the alumni were; Professional Networking and Women in Maritime by Ms. Koni Duniya; CV and Covering Letter Writing by Stephen Ujah; Emerging Opportunities in Maritime Industry and Business Strategies by Samuel Oluwafemi Aweda; and Mentoring and Career Diversification was presented virtually by Lt. Commander Akan Inyang, (US Coast Guard).
Earlier, the MAN Oron Rector, Effedua, who was represented by Dr Okonna, welcomed the resource persons and expressed the optimism that the graduating cadets will benefit from the lectures.
