Acting Rector Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State; Mr Mkpandiok Ante Mkpandiok was neither appointed nor confirmed by the Federal Government as the Rector of the strive-torn institution.
Even though, the position of the academy’s Rector is currently vacant, the self-acclaimed acting Rector of the nautical school; Mr. Mkpandiok Ante Mkpandiok is running the affairs of the school, while still being recognised as the Registrar of the school.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent gathered that the Minister of Transport; Mr Rotimi Amaechi at a recent meeting with a group of maritime journalists, confirmed that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron is the only agency under the ministry, without a substantial Chief Executive Officer.
However, at a chat with newsmen in Lagos, last week week, Mr Mkpandiok who is also the Registrar of MAN Oron said the late Acting Rector; Engineer Anthony Ishiodu had instructed him to take charge and oversee activities of the school, while he went for medical attention. He eventually died in Abuja.
Mr Mkpandiok disclosed that since the demise of Dr Ishiodu, the academy has been under his watch. He begged the Federal Government to give him the opportunity to serve as the substantive rector for just two years to prove his worth.
Mkpandiok explained that his emergence as acting rector was basically borne out of circumstances.
"We want to see what we can do, which sometimes I call it re-branding and beginning from this session, I want Nigerians to give us; well, if I say it, it will look as if one is too ambitious to become the rector, but if I have the privilege, I want government to give us just two years and let them see what we will bring out after just two years, because I will not allow young men to be wasted after school", he said.
The Registrar, who pleaded not to be seen as being over-ambitious however pledged that if given the opportunity to serve, the school will witness a new vista of development.
He appealed to the federal government to give the present management of the school the privilege to‘re-brand’ the academy, saying that if given the opportunity to serve as rector, the nautical school will be taken to the promise land.
Mkpandiok also promised to make the academy conducive for both staff and students, even as he
debunked allegations of feud between him and the Bursar of the school; Mr. Kayode Folorunsho, stressing that both of them were on the same page to move the academy forward.
He supported the move for MAN Oron be upgraded to university status, but added that such processes will take a while before it can be achieved considering the structures, manpower development and equipment needed.
Discussion about this post