SOAN pledges training assistance to NSDP’s cadets

MEMBERS of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN) have pledged to provide not less than 100 training berth for cadets of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

NSDP is a seafarers training programme put together by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Speaking at the unveiling of SOAN in Lagos, president of the association, Greg Ogbeifun, explained that the group is working in collaboration with related groups and agencies within and outside the country.

Ogbeifun also maintained that he is still a member of the Nigeria Ship Owners Association (NISA), adding that ship owners in the country are working towards same goal.

He said: “We did not leave NISA. I’m still a member of NISA. All we have done is to establish an association to fill in the gap”. He pledged the commitment of the association to the training of seafarers especially seatime opportunities for cadets.

Ogbeifun said the training programme is of great interest to the association, pointing out that “We have decided to put together a hundred training berth in our ships to support NIMASA’s NSDP. You can hold us go that. We are putting modalities together and we will engage the authority of NIMASA on the modalities.

The ships are there also. I think it will be good for the industry.” The association, according to Ogbeifun is making recommendation to the federal government on the establishment of a merchant navy training board.

He said the training board will articulate training of seafarers between shipowners and accredited maritime institutions in Nigeria and will be constituted by public and private sector to monitor the growth of Nigeria seafarers.

He said SOAN comprise ship owning companies with proven track records of activities in the industry recognized by upstream and downstream sectors of the shipping industry as well as by the private and public sectors of the industry.

Ogbeifun who spoke on sundry issues said SOAN was set up to facilitate participation of Nigerian shipowners in international fora on shipping matters through effective representation in such meetings. He said the group will not set agenda for the government “but will only set a road map for them. We are not a pressure group but a group of businessmen with proven track records. Everybody here owns vessels. We are shipowners”.

Also speaking at the event, seasoned maritime commentator and Director General of the Nigerian Chambers of Shipping (NCS), Mrs. Ify Anazonwu-Akerele, pledged to collaborate with SOAN. Members of the newly formed association include former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche who is its Board of Trustees chairman; former Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Capt. Adam Biu; Emeka Ndu; McGeorge Onyung; Chub Ike Ugwuibe; Eno William; Mina Oforiokuma and Jean Chiazor Anishere and Magaret Onyema Orakwusi. Among others.