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By Okuneye Moyosola
As part of efforts to groom the next generation of experts in the 
shipping industry, operators have advised students to tap into opportunities available in the maritime sector.
They gave the advice at the EduXplore children’s day seaport and ship experience, held on Tuesday at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Lagos.
The promoter, EduXplore, and Convener, Ocean Ambassadors Club, Honorable Williams violet while delivering the welcome address emphasized the need to encourage upcoming generations interested in the maritime sector in order for them to carve a niche at an early age.
EduXplore is an offshoot of the Ocean Ambassadors Club committed to helping the youths.
A maritime lawyer, Barrister Foluke Akinmoladun during the event also said the country has to build its sea line in order to attract more foreign exchange while highlighting some of the advantages of studying maritime law.
“We do not have cargo ships but we have plenty cargo owners but the advantage of studying maritime llaw is that as we grow older, people will continue to need things. Nigeria will always export oil and continue to need good and services from other countries. By the time, you are older, there will be cargo owners who are your age mates, but we need more professional lawyers in this field so that they can address issues and complaints. We also need maritime lawyers in the international space to represent the country in terms of regulations” she said.
Also speaking at the event, a senior shipping development officer at Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr Johnson Dorbara stressed that so many people are unemployed because they do not know about the carrier opportunities in the maritime sector.
“The sea is looking for who to employ while so many people are looking for jobs. The maritime sector is adventurous, you also have the opportunity to get a well paid job and travel around the world” he said.
According to him, there are no good career counselors in the country to direct young ones to the greener path and advised students to discover the future of the sea.
“Maritime sector is a catalyst for development and there are several advantages that it offers to the world. Despite all these, we still know more about Mars than what we know about the maritime” he stressed.
However, President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Mrs Mary Hamman while giving motherly advice, encouraged the kids to be focused, determined and also avoid distractions that will prevent them from achieving their goals.
