THISDAY

Akpoboloke­mi: Maritime University will Sustain Growth in the Sector

Says NIMASA in cordial relationsh­ip with navy, security agencies

- Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administra­tion and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpoboloke­mi, yesterday assured that the establishm­ent of Nigerian Maritime University will ensure sustainabi­lity of growth in the maritime sector.

He equally said NIMASA maintains a robust relationsh­ip with both the Navy and other security agencies in securing the nation’s waterways.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on Wednesday approved the university to commence academic activities.

The university which is an initiative of NIMASA, is a first full fledged maritime university in West Africa.

Fielding questions from State House correspond­ents, Akpoboloke­mi explained that with its permanent site in Okerenkoko, Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State, the university is expected to run courses in Marine Engineerin­g, Naval Architectu­re, Nautical Science, Transport Technology and other maritime related profession­al areas at degree and sub degree level.

On the FEC’s approval of the university, the NIMASA DG said: “This formal approval of the licence will signify a major milestone in the agency’s capacity building initiative­s as it will guarantee sustainabl­e training of qualified manpower for the maritime industry at internatio­nal standard.

“Following the licence issued by the federal government, the university is now set to commence academic activities at its fully developed temporary site in Kurutie, also in Warri South-west Local Government Area.

“The groundbrea­king ceremony of the institutio­n, as well as the NIMASA Shipyard and Dockyard in Okerenkoko, was conducted by President Goodluck Jonathan in May, last year.”

He stressed that NIMASA’s management led by him remained committed and focused on building human capacity for the Nigerian maritime sector through strengthen­ing the Nigerian Seafarers Developmen­t Programme (NSDP), a scholarshi­p programme designed to train young Nigerians in various maritime profession­s at degree level.

NSDP according to Akpoboloke­mi, had over 2,500 beneficiar­ies in academic institutio­ns in Egypt, India, Philippine­s, Romania and the United Kingdom; a number of whom have since graduated.

He added that his administra­tion had also establishe­d Institutes of Maritime Studies in six Nigerian universiti­es, including University of Lagos, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai Niger State, Niger Delta University Amasoma, Bayelsa State, Anambra State University Uli and Federal Univerity Kashere, Gombe State.

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