Observers recall that the 2015 edition of the Day of Seafarers on June 25 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, was unique because it was aimed at encouraging youths to take up career in seafaring.
Participants noted that although the day is observed annually across the world in honour of the seafarers who work day and night on the stormy high seas, its positive effects go beyond that.
Observers recall that the 2015 edition of the Day of Seafarers on June 25 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, was unique because it was aimed at encouraging youths to take up career in seafaring.
Participants noted that although the day is observed annually across the world in honour of the seafarers who work day and night on the stormy high seas, its positive effects go beyond that.
Appraising the theme of the day, port operators and other stakeholders noted that unlike previous editions of the event, the International Maritime Organisation, during the last edition, focused on maritime education to convince the youth to consider a career at sea.
Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the focus was apt, considering the fact that seafarers are grossly inadequate, especially at the Officers’ Cadre level.
“The dearth of seafarers is attributable to the huge amount of money required to train competent seafarers,’’ the director-general said.
Stressing the importance of the seafarers, he noted that unfortunately, no fewer than 1.5 million seafarers worldwide were keeping the world economy moving through the carriage of cargo on board ships.
He explained that the agency’s policy of capacity building through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) was in agreement with the theme of the day –“Maritime Education: Career At Sea’’
According to him, NIMASA is sponsoring more than 2,500 young Nigerians in various reputable maritime universities in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Romania, India and Philippines.
Akpobolokemi, nevertheless, said that there was a challenge for NIMASA to build on the successes recorded in the implementation of the NSDP.
“There is, therefore, more than ever before, the need for continuous training and retraining of Nigerian seafarers with a view to upgrading their skills and competencies.
“This will afford our nation adequate and skilled seafarers to put Nigeria in good stead to achieve its goal of being the maritime hub in Africa and the world.
But Capt. Sunday Umoren, the Head of Cabotage Services of NIMASA, said that various training programmes embarked upon by the agency were aimed at addressing the challenge of low level human capacity development of seafarers.
He said that the agency was mindful of the poor welfare condition of seafarers at the local and global levels.
He observed that in spite of this, the seafarers had remained undeterred towards the improvement of the nation’s economic prosperity.
For adequate awareness on seafaring, Chief Kunle Folarin, the Chairman of National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, said stakeholders should utilise the celebration of the day to stress the roles of the seafarers.
“In 2014, 5,400 vessels called at Nigerian ports and were moved by foreign crew but now we want a change that at least 10 per cent must be manned by Nigerians.
“Philippines’ seafarers remit about eight million dollars to their government; Nigerian seafarers will do the same when they are fully employed after going through NSDP training.
“The Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 was ratified by the Federal Government; we want the National Assembly to domesticate it so that people will enjoy the benefits,’’ Folarin said.
He urged NIMASA not to relent in training the seafarers as well as policing the nation’s territorial waters.
In his view, Dr Joshua Okpo, the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, said: “Seafaring is rewarding and exciting’’.
According to him, the remuneration is mouth-watering but Nigeria and Nigerians have yet to tap into the full potential of maritime sector.
“There are currently in excess of 50,000 merchant ships trading across the world and with the amount of international trade continuing to expand, the shipping industry must continue to expand to meet the ever-increasing demand.
“The ever increasing demand in ships necessitates the demand for well-trained and qualified seafarers to man these ships.
“The contributions of seafarers to the development of shipping and world economy cannot be over-emphasised and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria is expected to meet these challenges,’’ the rector said.
He observed that careers in maritime sector included deck officer, engineering officer, marine cook, marine electrician officer, marine stewards and navy, among others.
He also said young Nigerians should develop interest in ship building and repairs, diving, towage and salvage, marine survey, offshore oil and gas and teaching.
To motivate the youth on taking careers in maritime, Mrs Juliana Gunwa, the Director, Maritime Labour Services in NIMASA, advised that governments, seafarers’ employers, manning agents and private organisation should evolve effective advocacy on the importance of such careers.
“Seafaring could be a major foreign exchange earner of the country if all states of the federation and other maritime stakeholders key into the NSDP programme by investing in our seafarers now,’’ she said.
Gunwa also advised the seafarers to shun certificate forgery, pilfering, stealing, alcoholism, drug abuse and armed banditry that might bring shame to their families and the country.
Expressing some challenges of NIMASA, Akpobolokemi, alleged that some ship owners had refused to engage the service of Nigerian cadets posted to their vessels for the mandatory 18-month sea time-training.
He urged such companies to join its initiative in creating employment for seafarers, warning that the agency had resolved to renew its enforcement drive with a view to sanctioning erring ship owners.
Irrespective of any challenges, stakeholders believe that young Nigerians could earn a decent living by taking up career at sea and earning substantial foreign exchange.
*A News Analysis by Aisha Cole(NAN)
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