A passionate call has been made to the Executive Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, Amasenibo Hon. Engr. Abinye Blessing Pepple, to expand educational empowerment efforts into the maritime sector, following the recent rollout of a N100 million undergraduate scholarship scheme.
The appeal, contained in a widely circulated Facebook post by Godsgreat Francis George, popularly known as “Port Harcourt Sailor,” commended the Chairman’s leadership and described the scholarship initiative as a “transformative and timely intervention” for youths in Bonny Kingdom.
George praised the council’s allocation of N100,000,000 for the 2026 Bonny Undergraduate Scholarship Empowerment Scheme, noting that it demonstrates a strong commitment to both the quantitative and qualitative advancement of education in the area. According to him, the initiative has already begun to inspire hope among young people navigating Nigeria’s challenging economic landscape.
However, beyond commendation, the maritime professional used the opportunity to highlight what he described as a critical gap in Bonny’s development trajectory limited representation of indigenes in the professional officer cadre of the global maritime industry.
Positioning Bonny Island as a strategic hub within the Gulf of Guinea, George expressed concern that despite the island’s proximity to major maritime operations, its people remain underrepresented in high-ranking roles such as Navigation Officers, Marine Engineers, and Electro-Technical Officers.
Drawing from his experience as a sailor transitioning into maritime cybersecurity, he emphasized the untapped potential within the sector and urged the council to adopt a long-term vision for maritime empowerment.
He criticized the prevailing approach to marine training, which often consists of short-term courses lasting a few weeks. While acknowledging their value in providing basic skills, he argued that such programs fall short of delivering sustainable career pathways, as they do not lead to globally recognized certifications.
Instead, George advocated for targeted investment in specialized fields such as Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, and Electrical/Electronic Engineering. Central to his proposal is the sponsorship of youths to obtain the internationally recognized Certificate of Competency (CoC), which qualifies holders to serve as officers aboard vessels such as LNG carriers and Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).
Describing the CoC as the “gold standard” in maritime careers, he noted that achieving it marks the transition from low-level roles to highly skilled, globally competitive positions within the industry.
Also see: Police in Rivers Ensure Peace Easter Celebrations
Acknowledging the financial implications of such training, George proposed the introduction of structured funding mechanisms, including partial maritime scholarships or a revolving student loan scheme, to make the initiative sustainable.
He further stressed that the benefits of such investments extend beyond individual recipients. According to him, certified maritime officers gain international exposure, earn competitive incomes, and contribute significantly to the economic stability of their families and communities.
“If even a few Bonny youths are supported to this level, it would represent a landmark achievement in human capacity development,” he stated, adding that the ripple effects would be felt across generations.
The appeal comes at a time when stakeholders across the Niger Delta are increasingly advocating for skill-based empowerment programs that align with the region’s economic strengths, particularly in oil, gas, and maritime industries.
Observers say that integrating maritime-focused scholarships into existing educational programs could position Bonny as a leader in indigenous participation within the global shipping and offshore sectors.
While there has been no official response from the council at the time of filing this report, the proposal has sparked conversations among youth groups and maritime stakeholders, many of whom see it as a strategic pathway to bridging longstanding gaps in local participation within the industry.
As Bonny continues to evolve as a key economic hub, calls like this highlight the growing demand for policies that not only provide immediate relief but also create sustainable, high-value opportunities for future generations.
Destiny Tamunoala Emmanuel
