By John Ikani
Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Cdr. Duja Effedua Emmanuel, (rtd) has disclosed that Equatorial Guinea has written to the institution, requesting for the training of the Central African country’s cadets in Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
Emmanuel made the disclosure during his presentation at this year’s World Maritime Day celebration held in Lagos.
Apart from Equatorial Guinea, the Rector told maritime stakeholders that several institutions and oil and gas companies have requested for training for their staff by the Academy.
What the rector said:
“I am happy to inform you that Equatorial Guinea has written to us requesting to train their Cadets at MAN.
“We have also received several applications from very credible institutions requesting training for their technical personnel and staff because we have the most modern Simulators and other training equipment that no other Maritime Academy within the West African sub Region has”
Effedua emphasised that training equipment available at the Academy are top-notch and not generic.
“With the training equipment that we have at the Academy, anyone going outside Nigeria for any kind of Maritime Training is just wasting his/her time because it is absolutely unnecessary” Effedua said.
While reassuring stakeholders of better things to happen at the Academy, the Rector said he will completely block all leakages and ensure that those looking for free money from the Academy get nothing.
“The days of money sharing at the Academy are over. We need money for further development of the Academy, we don’t have enough for our needs, where do i get money to share from”, the Rector queried.
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Responding, maritime stakeholders at the event commended the Rector and his management team for their efforts, even as they called on the Rector not to relent in repositioning the Academy for greater excellence.
Specifically, the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi charged the Rector to create more faculties of learning at the Academy and build higher capacity for the Nigeria’s maritime needs.
“If you could work at having more faculties, engage qualified lecturers, even if they have to come and teach on part time basis at the Academy because of the issue of salary structure which is not within your purview, Nigeria stands to benefit more. The youths that you so help become betters persons will never forget the gesture and they will have you to thank in the future,” the minister said.
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