The Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Joshua Okpo said the academy has signed bilateral agreement with the World Maritime University (WMU), Sweden and another Corporation in India to take 50 of its students on training.
The rector disclosed this in an event in Lagos recently.
Okpo who was represented by Mrs. Alice Mkpandiok said 25 would be taken from the deck cadets and another 25 from the engineering department every year.
He also disclosed that the academy was using part of the five percent accruing to it from NIMASA annually to place the cadets for sea time experience.
The Rector further stated that the academy had signed all the necessary papers and would commence the training as soon as the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) gives the go ahead.
Okpo also disclosed that the academy had entered into agreement with the Shipping Corporation of Singapore to be taking some of its cadets onboard.
“Some indigenous companies like the Nigeria LNG had also agreed to take 15 cadets and 15 engineering students on yearly bases with Exxon Mobile ready to give scholarships to the students.
“WISTA Nigeria has been helping some female cadets who excelled so much in academics by granting them scholarships. So, some of them use that for seatime apart from the help from NIMASA and the government.
“Then very recently the Minister of Transport made it mandatory for shipping companies operating on Nigerian waters to take some cadets on board their vessels. That is how far the country and organizations had gone to place our students on board vessels,” Okpo said.
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