The House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration has revealed that a Bill that will transform the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron into a degree awarding university is currently before the National Assembly.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago stated this over the weekend at the 2018 Cadets Passing Out Parade/Graduation Ceremony of the academy.
According to Bago, who was represented by the Committees Deputy Chairman, Hon. Adeolu Solomon, “I bring you greeting from the Speaker of the House of Representative, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and the entire members of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.
“I want to appreciate the Rector of this academy, Commodore Duja Effedua for his outstanding efforts in transforming this institution from what it was when he came on board.
“We have had series of oversight visits to this academy in recent past, and Commodore Duja Effedua is the first Rector of this academy to live up to expectations.
“The House of Representative assures you all that we will continue to do our bit by way of legislation, budgeting and over sight functions in order to develop our maritime sector.
“There is a Bill at the moment before the National Assembly, a Bill to establish the Maritime University, Oron. The Bill, when passed, will transform this academy into a degree awarding institution.
“I therefore congratulate all of you and urge you to be of good conduct as you continue your experiences.”
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi explained that upon assumption of duties in 2015, he had to set up a ministerial committee to salvage the academy which was already under misrule at that time.
In the words of Rotimi Amaechi, who was ably represented by the Director of Maritime Service of the Ministry of Transportation, Alhaji Daladanchi, “The approval of Mr. President was obtained to set up a Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) which was constituted on 6th of September 2017.
The IMC was to restructure and reposition the academy for a period of six months.
“A substantive Rector with professional sea time training, maritime administration, training and experience was then appointed to drive the position of the Federal Government in the academy.
“Our gathering here today to witness the passing out parade of the graduands of this academy six years after such was ever held is a significant evidence of restructuring and repositioning of the academy for good.
“It also shows that the focus of the new management of the maritime academy is on projects and programmes that will realise high quality maritime education, training and sponsoring of inter-agency partnership that will enhance the maritime industry in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government will continue to provide able support to realise the objectives of the salvation of the maritime academy; however, the need for support from the maritime industry stakeholders towards the success of the academy cannot be overemphasised.
“I am therefore calling on ship-owner’s, oil and gas companies, shipping companies, port operators and all other relevant stakeholders to rise to the challenges of the academy, especially that of providing ships for sea time training of the cadets.”
A total of 613 cadets graduated at the ceremony, with 36 of the graduands bagging distinctions honours.
