Haven recorded some successes in Ghana, the Chattered Institute of Shipbrokers (ICS) has said that it is set to go round Nigerian universities to introduce courses pertaining to ship brokerage and acquisition to young students.
President of ICS, Capt Samuel Olanrewaju disclosed this at the launching of the Nigerian chapter of the institute in Lagos last week.
He said that the institute had introduced three of its core courses at the Maritime Academy in Ghana and that before now, student members of ICS had to travel to Ghana to write these exams.
He however assured that with the launching of the Nigeria chapter, the institute is going to introduce same courses in Nigeria and in doing so; it would reach out to all training institutions for these courses to be taken.
According to Capt Olanrewaju, the ICS was established about 100 years ago in London and its main purpose is to groom ship brokerage professionals from the scratch to finish.
Speaking on a brief history of the institute he said, "Unlike some other bodies, the ICS had the royal chatter in 1920 and this made it difficult for branches outside London to be set up and registered but before now there was no Nigerian chapter despite all efforts from members in Nigeria"
"There was so many conditions they put on ground for us and it was difficult for us because nobody was interested"
"The ICS certificate is an added advantage to every shipping professional, we are coming up with a plan to attract the younger ones at the universities studying maritime related courses"
Capt Olanrewaju said that the institute have so far visited key parastatals in the maritime sector, including the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
He particularly commended the Executive Secretary of Shippers Council, Barr. Hassan Bello whom he said has declared major support and confirmed running with ICS.
"We also got it from him that all new recruits at the council will go through the shipping training that the ICS provides"
"We are already running something for them, we have courses that have been chosen in collaboration with them, they have identified some gaps in their staff and they said the institute should deliver the training"
"If all agencies in the country can do that, I think our economy will grow without problems" he said
Capt Olanrewaju also underscored the importance of having professional shipbrokers in vessel acquisition processes. He said that many Nigerian shipowners ignorantly purchase scrapped vessels under the guise of buying new ships.
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