In its capacity building drive in the Transport and Oil and Gas sectors of the Nigerian Economy, the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) in collaboration with the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amasoma in Bayelsa State, inaugurated a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) programme in Transport, Oil and Gas Technology in Lagos, recently.
The Programme which is being run by the Institute of Transport, Oil and Gas Technology Department of the Niger Delta University would see 16 students resume lectures at the NCS Secretariat in Lagos and later be awarded certificates from the University at the end of their programmes.
Speaking in a keynote address to mark the event, the President, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Chief Adebayo Sarumi described the occasion as heart-warming having witnessed the PGD programme take-off at the Lagos Centre, hosted and coordinated by the NCS.
Sarumi while expressing his delight for not only being part of the day’s history but also leading the Chamber at that point of what he called the laudable effort of the Chamber, described the development as the high point of the Chamber’s advocacy initiative and support of the transport and logistics sub-sector of the economy.
Represented by the Vice President of the NCS, Mr. Andrew Isichie, Sarumi disclosed that the PGD programme was a brainchild of the NCS which he said received kind consideration and tacit approval of the Niger Delta university describing it as a product of sound and patriotic thinking on the part of both partners.
According to him,” the good thinking in terms of bringing on and strengthening the natural synergy between the transport and Oil and Gas sectors of the economy cannot be overemphasized. Students will certainly be availed of the requisite depth of knowledge which will enhance their performance on the job or increase their viability to work at the above work centres.
“I have been informed that as much as possible, field trips and practical works will be part of the PGD programme.”
He therefore charged the entire team as well as the students who happened to be the pioneer students of the Collaboration to be committed to the programme which according to him would run for the next one year on a two semester format urging them to study to show themselves approved and worthy.
On his part, the Programmes Coordinator, Mr. Nnamdi Eronini stated that the programme was an outcome of so many years of hard work, inter-institution visit and many other ancillary activities adding that the programme was the chamber’s other ways of contributing to the capacity building of Nigerians in the transport, oil and gas industry.
Eronini who is also the General Manager of the Chamber assured the students that they have nothing to lose in taking up the programme at the Centre as the curriculum to be used for the programmes were as vetted and approved by the Niger Delta university.
He reassured the students that all was set for the smooth running of the programme which commences on Saturday, 23rd August, 2014 assuring that they would get exactly what they expected for the good of themselves and that of the society.
“Therefore, I want to welcome you as the pioneer of this programme. It is instructive that you saw this on paper, you heard about it and then you got interested, you came in and bought the form and I know that in the course of your training, you are going to get what you want”.
“Then you as a person, you are going to be better for it, the University environment and then where you work would benefit from it because when you build capacity, you transfer it and it circulates within your environment”, Eronini said.
