…Absorbs maritime graduates and undergraduates for NYSC, Industrial Attachment
…As NIWA encourages maritime students to embrace collaboration and innovation
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC has assured that it will continue to pursue deliberate policies that will assist the Nigerian maritime students to thrive considering their importance to the development of the maritime sector in the country.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah who gave this assurance in his goodwill message to the Annual Maritime Students and Youth, AMSAY Conference with the theme, “Solving The Challenges Of The Nigerian Maritime Students/Cadets” held in Lagos today by Platforms Communications disclosed that the Council had put in place a maritime resource library at its head office in Lagos and six coordinating offices in the six geopolitical zones for free use of the maritime students and any other person interested in the maritime and shipping issues.
Akutah who was represented at the conference by the Deputy Director, Regulatory Services of the Council, Hannah Adaba, also revealed that the Council had a deliberate policy to absorb maritime graduates and undergraduates seeking space for National Youth Service Corp and Industrial Attachment.
“We at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council strongly support the initiative of the Platforms Communications in organizing this conference which we hope will abreast the students and other participants with the requisite knowledge required to navigate the available opportunities in the maritime industry”, he said.
He described the theme of the conference as “very auspicious” as it sought to x-ray the challenges of the maritime students and proffer solutions in order to increase Nigerian human capital potentials in the maritime domain.
“Maritime plays a crucial role in the economy of any country. Many surveys have proven that 90 percent of international trade is conducted through the sea which accounts for 70 percent of global trade revenue.
“Therefore, Nigeria as a nation needs to harness multiple opportunities in the sector with the youth in maritime at the forefront of our national strategy. In essence, Nigerian maritime students ought to be trained, developed and encouraged to exploit numerous opportunities inherent in the maritime industry such as support activities for petroleum and natural gas extraction, manufacture of lifting and handling equipment, building of ships and floating structures, terminal operations, cargo handling, cargo clearance and freight forwarding services, intermodal transport, warehousing and cargo storage among others”, the Executive Secretary said.
He listed some notable challenges which had continued to hinder the maritime students in Nigeria to include: challenges of financing academic studies, insecurity in the inland waters due to the activities of armed sea robbers and kidnappers, inadequate maritime data and information centres, inadequacy of marine officers and demand for highly competent officers to man vessels not matched with available supply, limited space for sea time experience for maritime students, lack of maritime resource libraries for research, unemployment at the completion of studies, course accreditation issues and host of others.
“It is therefore anticipated that this conference will address in great details the already established challenges of our maritime students and come up with recommendations for possible solutions. We therefore, wish to call on participants to maximally utilize the knowledge presented by this conference”, he stated.
On her part, the Area Manager, National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Lagos Area Office, Engr.. Sarat Braimah stated that the milestone event marked a passion for dedication to shapen the future of the Nigerian maritime industry adding that “It’s scarcely agreeable that the theme of this year’s conference, ‘Solving the Challenges of Nigerian Maritime Students/Cadets’, largely many solutions lie within the emergence of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy created by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Engr. Braimah who was also represented at the event described the Marine and Blue Economy as the sustainable use of the ocean resources for economic growth through improve livelihood and job while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem. “It encompasses the ecosystem of economic activities centered on trade and actions around large bodies of water ranging from rivers to ocean which are managed in a way to ensure environmental sustainability”, she added.
She listed some of the key aspects of the Marine and Blue Economy to include ports infrastructure development, maritime administration efficiency, human capital training, economic regulations, fishing industry development, renewable energy, tourism, waste management among others.
“At this point, it is an indisputable fact that the above listed points are fantastic springboard that provides beautiful maritime future for the young maritime students and cadets. Therefore, as you gathered here today, ensure you share knowledge, ideas and experience. I encourage you to embrace the power of collaboration and innovation.
“The maritime sector plays a vital role in economic growth and sustainability and your contribution shape its future. Embrace this opportunity to learn from industry experts, they are here, they are within us today. Network with them and also network with your peers and explore the latest development in the field. Your passion and enthusiasm are the driving forces that will propel the maritime industry forward. I wish you a productive engagement”, she said.
On his part, the CEO of the Platforms Communications, convener of the 8th edition of AMSAY Conference, Mr. Sylvanus Obasi, in his welcome address, observed that the objective of the conference was to identify, highlight and proffer lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges facing seafaring and non seafaring maritime students as future leaders of the sector.
“Good enough, we have a new government at the centre, a brand new ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and a brand new NIMASA DG. We can only hope that they listen and do the needful for the good of all”, Obasi said.
Photo 1: Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
Photo 2: Engr. Sarat Braimah, NIWA Area Manager, Lagos Area Office.
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