Sunny Edemenang – Uyo
In demonstration of its commitment to academic excellence and development of future maritime leaders, the 2024 Lecture Series of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron has widened the cadets’ perception to floodgates of opportunities on and off the shores of maritime sector.
This year’s theme: “Revamping the Maritime Industry in Nigeria For Global Competitiveness: Issues, Challenges and Prospects”, was an oversight academic function to impact, impart, inspire and motivate cadets on emerging trends and future endeavours.
Like inaugural lectures in other institutions of learning, the 2024 Lecture Series has enhanced the reputation and credibility of the Academy for academic excellence in the comity of maritime institutions of the world.
The Rector, Comdre Duja Effedua in one of his remarks while presenting plagues to the resource persons, appreciated them for quality intellectual property presented and expressed the readiness of the Academy to host them at all times on contemporary issues and prospects in the maritime world.
Benefits of the lecture transcends Maritime Academy faculties to the industry in several ways by exposing cadets to diverse perspectives and expertise, enhance their knowledge and skills in specialized areas of maritime industry
For Cmdre Effedua, the lecture series has creditably set the tone for his managerial capabilities at the academy as a Rector who knows his onions in professional development and continuing education, with increased awareness of global maritime issues and challenges.
Dr Emeka Akabogu, a Senior Partner Agaboku and Partners Lagos, and Resource Person at Lecture Series, aptly captured in his commendation of the Rector’s marvelous works in making the academy a pride for Nigeria.
“Cmdre Duja Effedua has done a wonderful work. He has shown that anything in this country can work if persons appointed in positions of responsibilities are passionate on delivering values, focused in the management they are in, and are knowledgeable in the sector and industry in which they are appointed”.
“With the state-of-the-art facilities I have seen here, I am very impressed. It tells me, and I can say without equivocation that, seafarers programmes which Nigeria has been spending millions every year can very effectively be achieved through the Academy. If the money we spend training
people abroad is invested here, the Academy would have no rival in the world”.
Also in the words of Prof.(Capt.) Abiodun Sule of Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos, through his representative, Dr Ibifubara Ayaobu-Cookey, Director of Aquaculture, Nigeria Institute of Marine Research , Lagos, “The Rector and all his management are in tandem with the mission, vision and goals of the Academy.
“The infrastructure development by the Rector is mind blowing, from the electronically operated Class Rooms, to Engineering Museums and Simulation Rooms. My prayer is for continuity of the excellent work done in this academy for the past 6 years to be sustainable for generations to come”.
Prof. Sule went on to give Kudos to the Rector and his team for reviving this national asset for the benefit of learning, pointing out that “posterity will be his Judge as he stamps his foot on this great academy”.
From the President of Alumni of Maritime Academy of Nigeria AMANO, Emmanuel Maiguwa and his Vice who all were resource person at the Lecture,
“It was indeed a great pleasure to witness one of the many remarkable progress made by the Academy in its effort to train competent man power for the Maritime Industry through workshops and lectures like this. I have no doubt that the cadets being produced today will do better”.
“The academy is strategically positioned to drive the nation’s Blue Economy Agenda. This series represent a road map to achieving the Blue Economy Vision” Captain Duniya quipped.
The three-day Lecture Series which took place at the Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Auditorium of the Academy, provided a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise, promoting intellectual curiosity and exploration in the best academic tradition.
It drew top professionals and captains of the industry to buttress and fortify the curriculum of Academy under the following topics;
* Addressing Human and Institutional Capacity Development in Nigeria’s Maritime Sector Through Stakeholders Partnership by Konni Duniya,
* Smart Ports: Transforming Ports With Technology – Enhancing Innovation for Efficiency and Growth by Emmanuel Maiguwa
* Maritime Resources Management: Fisheries and Careers – Prof. Sule Abiodun.
*Sustainable Shipping Development in Nigeria: Review of Policy and Regulatory Frameworks as Nexus by Dr Akabogu.
* Career Path in The Maritime Industry: Prospects for Future Engineers – Engr Israel Obadan and
* Technology Advancements in Nigeria’s Maritime Trade – A Framework for Enhanced Efficiency and Growth by Gabriel Eto.
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