In anticipation of who would be the next Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State, stakeholders in the maritime sector have advised the Federal Government to ensure that such an individual must be qualified.
Currently, the Nigeria foremost nautical institution is without a substantial Chief Executive officer , following the demise of the acting rector, Dr Anthony Anayo Ishiodu.
Setting agenda for the President Buhari-led government on the appointment of a new rector for MAN Oron, Deputy Secretary General ,Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association; Comrade John Okpono Aleakhue stated that appointment of the next Rector of the academy must not be politicised by government
Giving a vivid example of institutions that have recorded great achievement, the scribe said College of Fisheries and Marine Technology has excelled because of the individual at the helms of affair.
According to him, government should take a cue from appointment where by the person that will head the nautical school must have a pedigree in marine operations and administration.
He noted that the current CEO of College of Fisheries and Marine Technology has transformed and reform the school for greater heights, urging the government to ensure that a practitioner is selected irrespective of federal character.
The Union's scribe also advised indigenes of the state to work with anybody appointed as the Rector, MAN Oron, pointing out that the position is not meant to be for people of the state alone.
He maintained that as a federal institution of the federal government, there is the need for an expert from the maritime sector to be appointment in order to run the affairs of the foremost maritime academy.
"MAN Oron is a federal government institution and it is similar to other higher institutions in Nigeria, therefore for anybody to be appointed as the CEO of the school, he or she must possess marine experience"
"The idea of looking at it from the Oron community perspective is wrong, for instance most federal academies are not being headed by indigenes of the state hence MAN Oron is no exception"
He however urged the government to embrace federal character on the appointment of a new rector called on the government to replicate what is currently obtainable at College Fisheries and Marine Technology.
He also warned that the headship of MAN Oron is not the birth right of the people of the state, urging the government to embrace fairness.
"College of Fisheries and Marine Technology has upgraded because the Captain who heads the school has maritime qualifications, and practical experience which I will say is paying off today"
"It is not a miracle rather the man in charge knows how it goes because he was once a cadet, he schooled both in Nigeria and overseas in marine studies, he has worked as cadet up to a level of a captain on board ships therefore such a person knows what it takes to move the school forward"
"However, for a rector to be appointed to head MAN Oron, he or she must possess such pedigree in ensuring that the academy is properly repositioned to meet global standard and practice, "the Deputy scribe added.
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