Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has commended the Global Maritime Academy in Ughelli South Local Government Area for contributing its quota in the development of the maritime sector through the training of needed manpower.
Global Maritime Academy marks 15th anniversary, experts identify ways to boost Nigeria’s maritime sector
The Governor represented by the State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Johnbull Tonukari, gave the commendation during the 15th anniversary of the Academy held in Effurun, Delta State.
The experts in the maritime sector in their presentations identified critical manpower development, capacity building, and government support for the Nigerian maritime industry as strategic approaches towards maximizing existing opportunities in the industry and the Blue economy of the country.
Global Maritime Academy is an institute with the mandate to produce manpower in the maritime sector, bridging gaps to fielding the next generation seafarers, maritime experts, and technicians that would reposition and reshape the Nigerian maritime sector.
The 15th anniversary of the Academy had the theme: “GMA sailing toward the future of the Maritime industry”.
Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Johnbull Tonukari, who represented the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said the contributions of the Global Maritime Academy in the nation’s maritime sector and beyond are highly appreciated.
Prof Tonukari urged the students to continue to pursue excellence and reiterated the state government’s readiness to harness the coastal corridors in the State towards the development of the sector.
In their addresses, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Obilo Ogbonna, the Rector of the Global Maritime Academy, Dr Mike Egbago, chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Orubu and the Registrar, Mr Dafe Ogunje said the institution has continued to be a leading force in the country as a foremost institute for equipping young minds in the maritime sector.
They disclosed that the Academy is in over five Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with different institutions within and outside the country especially the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety to award diploma as well as equipping their students with entrepreneurship skills.
Head of Department, Public Relations, Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Mrs Preye Wowe, commended the institution for the giant strides recorded for the past 15 years, particularly in the quality of students it is churning out.
Proprietor, Global Maritime Academy, Mr Ejiro Onakughotor said the institution aims to give quality education to Nigerians to utilize the opportunities in the Maritime sector.
As part of activities marking the institution’s milestones in the past 15 years, two papers were delivered by maritime experts.
Dr Rammad Muhammad spoke on: “Maritime and Blue Economy: Opportunities, Challenges and Development while Mr Emmanuel Walakai, an engineer, did justice to the opportunities available when the Maritime sector is optimally utilized.
The experts while speaking on some of the challenges bedevilling the industry which include kidnapping, environmental threat, inadequate infrastructures and regulations, piracy and armed robbery suggested regional cooperation, technological advancement as well as improved governance, enforcement and capacity building as currently being carried out by Global Maritime Academy as panacea to unlocking the true potentials of Nigeria seas, and coastal corridors.
They equally made case for the Maritime transport sector and for Nigeria to take strong look at the imbedded opportunities which would positively impact on the nation’s balance of payment and bilateral relationship with other countries.
The experts maintained that the Global Maritime Academy in Ughelli South is already blazing the trail to provide the required skilled labour.
Global Maritime Academy will on February 2rd hold its passing out ceremony of cadets at the academy campus in Agboghame, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
