Nigerians will take over coastal trade in 10 years, says NIMASA boss

The investment in human capacity development by the Management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has placed the country in a strategic position to effectively take control of her coastal trade within the next decade.
The NIMASA Director-General, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, said this during the send-forth ceremony of 100 Nigerian youths for studies in various maritime fields at AMET University of Maritime Transport, Chennai, India.
Akpobolokemi in his address enjoined the beneficiaries to treat the opportunity given them by NIMASA as a rare one by dedicating themselves fully to their studies, and to be guided by the rules and regulations of AMET University, as well as the laws of their host country.
He noted that the Presidency was interested in the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) powered ny NIMASA, admonishing the cadets to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in India.
In his words: “In the years to come, as the Philippines are exporting seafarers all over the world, Nigeria will replicate same in the next 10 years, and also become a hub of maritime activities in Africa as far as human capacity is concerned.”

Also speakin, Prof. Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School stated that Nigeria will progress further if the government continues to place priority on human capacity development, noting that it was the catalyst for the sustainable growth of the economy.
NMASA Head of Public Relations, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, explained that that this particular capacity programme, which will commence from India, will see the successful cadets proceed to the United Kingdom (UK) for a continuation of their studies, which will culminate in the cadets undergoing sea time training, being the practical aspect of the comprehensive training, ultimately getting them ready for an exciting life at sea.
“The 100 cadets brings to 1,854 the number of young Nigerians currently being trained in various maritime courses such as Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture and Nautical Sciences in leading maritime institutions in Egypt, India, Malaysia, Philippines and the United Kingdom.
“In addition to these foreign training, the management of NIMASA is set to establish four institutes of Maritime Studies in four Nigerian Universities and a Maritime University to expedite human capacity development in the sector,” Osamgbi stated in a press release e-mailed toSHIPS & PORTS DAILY.