We are targeting more international affiliations, says MAN rector

Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua, has said his target is to attract more international affiliations and certifications for the academy.

“We need to work hard to consolidate on our gains. We do not have to relax. We have to build more capacity. We must consolidate on training the trainers. We have to increase our internally generated revenue. We have to expand some of our courses to get more international affiliation and accreditations. We also have to take up some courses in boat building,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the recent visit by Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, to the academy would resolve irregular remittances by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

“NIMASA’s remittances are irregular. And with that, you cannot plan. It puts us on the spot, because it is difficult to plan when your income is not regular,” he said.

Saraki, during her visit to the academy, had disclosed the Federal Government’s vision to make Nigeria a leading exporter of seafarers, like the Philippines.

“We believe that truly we can achieve that, with the depths of adjustments that have been made here, especially, since resumption of the current rector,” she said.