Shortage Of Nigerian-Owned Vessels Shouldn’t Stall Seafarers’ Development – Obaseki

* Ogbeifun dedicates maritime book to young professionals

By Kenneth Jukpor

The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki has argued that the problem of dwindling Nigerian-owned vessels shouldn’t limit the development of seafarers in the nation.

Obaseki likened the challenge of vessel ownership in the nation’s maritime sector to the situation in the aviation space, stressing that the collapse of Nigerian Airways didn’t lead to a short supply of pilots and aeronautical engineers in the country.

The Governor, who was speaking yesterday at the book launch of “Potentials of Nigeria’s Maritime Economy,” published by the Chairman of Starz Investments Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, stressed that the onus was on maritime industry veterans to explore solutions to the manpower deficiency in the sector.

“When you look at the aviation sector and the collapse of the Nigerian Airways, you would find that the absence of indigenous airlines which lingered until recently didn’t stall the development of pilots. Why couldn’t we achieve the same in the maritime sector?”

“As we unveil this book tonight, I believe that it is important and every maritime expert here begins to share this book from our sphere of influence so that we can truly exploit the gold-mine in the Nigerian maritime sector,” the Governor said.

Obaseki who acquired 500 copies of the book for tertiary institutions in Edo State, described the author as a selfless leader and a true champion in the nation’s maritime sector.

The Governor also commended Ogbeifun for his role as Chairman of the Benin River Port Project Committee, noting that the ship-owner has brought to bare his vast experience and network in expediting the project.

Obaseki noted that Edo State has been one of Nigeria’s leading littoral states historically, assuring that his administration is resolved to exploit the numerous opportunities in blue economy for the economic development of the state.

On his part, the book author, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun said that the book is dedicated to the young professionals in the nation’s shipping sector as it availed valuable historical events and lessons.

“This book is an intellectual book that is useful to give hope to the younger generation of Nigerian shipping stakeholders who may be feeling hopeless as a result of the current state of things. The nation’s maritime sector had lots of potentials that haven’t been touched and I’ll encourage everyone to buy and send to maritime institutions and other tertiary institutions,” Ogbeifun said.

A former Alternative Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and former Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Engr. Olu Akinsoji described the book as a explanation of the current state of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

“It presents professionally based information for policy, management, operators, desk officers and would also be useful for those in training. It covers a range of subjects relevant to the many sectors of the industry,” Akinsoji said.