The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has said that the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron, Akwa Ibom, is fully equipped to undertake world class maritime education.
This is contained in a statement by Mrs Domo Umoekpe, the Head, Public Affairs, MAN which was made available to newsmen in Uyo on Friday.
The statement quoted Mr Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General, IMO as making the expression after receiving the needs and achievements report of the institution from the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna.
Dominguez said that the training facilities at the academy were of international standard and that the institution had improved tremendously in infrastructure, training and administration.
He further said that the academy had continued to adhere strictly to global maritime standards, particularly in its efforts to produce competent and technology-savvy maritime professionals.
While interacting with the cadets, Dominguez urged them to actively support the transition to sustainable shipping by implementing eco-friendly practices.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, described the transformation at MAN as impressive and a reflection of the renewed drive to align maritime education with the goals of the blue economy.
Oyetola said that the academy’s visible infrastructure renewal, enhanced academic standards, and cutting-edge training facilities had further strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to produce world class seafarers and maritime professionals.
Earlier in his presentation, Okonna said that the academy had witnessed tremendous restructuring since the last IMO mission to the institution.
“Since your last mission in 2017, the academy has been restructured and repositioned for global competitiveness. All key nonconformities observed then have been cleared.
“We now have state-of-the-art simulators for hands-on training, we also have a fully equipped marine engineering workshop, functional marine engines and other equipment,” he said.
Okonna thanked the organisation for its technical assistance towards the development of the academy and contributions to global shipping development.
