A former Sole Administrator, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom, Mr Olu Akinsoji has urged the Federal Government to shelve any plan to scrap the Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta.
Akinsoji, a former Government Inspector of Ships (GIS), made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as maritime activities closed on Friday.
The marine engineer said at a time when stakeholders were clamouring for more institutions in the maritime sector to build human capacity, scrapping the university would not augur well for the industry.
According to him, the university was conceived by the last administration and was duly approved by the National Assembly after proper scrutiny.
“What that means is that the senators that approved the university thought it was good for the nation and good for the maritime sector.
“Whatever due process issues the Federal Government might have with the establishment of the university, it is those issues that government should address and not throwing the baby away with the bath water,’’ Akinsoji told NAN.
He also said that it was time for the upgrade of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria to a university.
According to Akinsoji, who is the Chairman, Society of Nigerian Mariners (SNM), doing that will strengthen the capacity of the institution to produce highly-skilled manpower for the maritime sector.
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