MAN, Oron Is Structured On IMO Standards

The Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron is operating the approved standards set for maritime education by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), so says the institution’s Rector; Mr Joshua Okpo.

In a chat with journalists recently, Mr. Okpo said the academy by its Act (formerly a Nautical College) is to provide training and education for shipboard officers and ratings and for shore-based management personnel.

What this means according to Okpo, is that both middle and high level skilled manpower as well as sea captains and engineers are to be trained by the school.

He stated that the school since its establishment in 1979, by Act NO. EC (77) 172, the institution has provided the maritime sub sector with over 15,000 Cadets, Engineers, Ship Captains, Seafarers and other personnel who are doing very well in both the maritime, oil and gas and the allied industries across the globe.

Okpo said the academy is operating in accordance with the IMO standards for certification of seafarers under the STWC 2010 Mandilla Convention, which has kept Nigeria on the IMO White List.

On the challenges of the Academy being upgraded to a University or a degree awarding status, he said that although, a private bill was sponsored in the House of Representatives for the academy to become a university, the institution management was not carried along.
He however said that the institution has made its position on this known to the appropriate authorities.

Speaking further, he said if the school is made a university outright, it might lose its relevance, as well as push Nigeria off the IMO white list adding also, that the status of the institution will be defeated as regards provision of low, middle and high level manpower for the industry.

Okpo said the position of management of the academy to government is to make it a degree awarding institution to keep in line with the IMO standards. The curricula across its degree programmes should be skilled-base and professionally conditioned.
On the standards of training and infrastructural upgrade in the institution, the Rector said that since he assumed office he has opened the infrastructural landscape of the school from phase one to phase three, to rank among the best in the world.

" During a tour of facilities, it was discovered that the school is developing in phases, starting from phase one to phase three with well-planned structures for conducive learning. "

" Today the school can boast of a world-class jetty, full bridge simulators, over 2000 sitting refectory, e-library, 1,000 capacity auditorium, well equipped clinic, engineering workshops, staff quarters, mini stadium etc."

" As President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to reform the maritime, oil and gas sector it is hope that the Maritime Academy Oron would be a reference point for training of personnel that will provide the needed technological know-how that will move the sector forward. "

"Also as oil prices dwindles on a daily bases, it is hoped that, the country can make its fortunes by investing in the maritime sector."

" MAN, Oron will be the needed power house to churn out quality and qualified manpower both for home use and exports”, he concluded.

West Africa Institute Of Chartered Shipbrokers Marks Anniversary
The West Africa branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS), has called for the injection of professionalism into the operations of the maritime industry in the sub-region.

President of the ICS West Africa; Mr Asiedu-Dartey told Ghana News Agency in an interview after the fifth anniversary commemoration of the West Africa branch of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in Accra, that the promotion of professionalism and acceptable international standards within the shipping industry in the West African sub-region remains a critical for transforming of the sector.
“Anyone who wishes to know the basics of shipping operations, either from a bank or other financial institutions, legal firms, insurance companies or government organisations must work with professionals in the industry,” Mr Asiedu-Dartey said in Accra.
He explained that the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers is the professional body for all members of the commercial shipping industry representing shipbrokers, ship managers, agents and other maritime practitioners.
He said the ICS seeks to provide the highest standards of professional service to the shipping industry worldwide through education and West Africa branch also stands to inject global standards into operations in the sub-region.
Mr Asiedu-Dartey who is also the Public Affairs Manager of Ghana Shippers Authority said the ICS is internationally recognised as a mark of professionalism and a significant requirement for employment and promotion in the shipping business worldwide.
“This is derived from the long held principle that integrity, knowledge and trust are indispensable keys to professionalism,” he said.
Speaking on the achievements of the West Africa branch of ICS, Mr Asiedu-Dartey identified the establishment of strong local contacts with the shipping industry, growth of membership and the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding with the Regional Maritime University and the University of Cape Coast in 2013 to develop academic and educational collaborations.
He noted that through the instrumentality of West Africa branch of the ICS the University of Cape Coast has adopted three of the ICS subjects into the degree curriculum of its Transport Department starting 2015/16 academic year.
The subjects are; Multimodal Transport and Logistics, Port and Terminal Management, and Economics of Sea Transport and International Trade Challenges.
Mr Asiedu-Dartey noted that the Professional Qualifying Examinations still remains the main pathway to membership with the ICS.
“I will therefore on this occasion wish to make a clarion call to young employees with limited knowledge of the shipping industry. People working in accounts or technical departments who wish to broaden their knowledge of the commercial aspects of shipping, seafarers wishing for a more in-depth appreciation of commercial decisions and employees in shipping who require a brush-up with knowledge of the industry to apply.”
The International Chairman of the ICS, Captain Richard Brook-Hart, as well as member and fellows of ICS from the sub-region participated in the anniversary.
The ICS was founded in 1911 and awarded a Royal Charter in 1920 is headquartered in London.
In 1984, a supplementary Royal Charter was granted and membership was opened to citizens of any country in the world, consequently, the institute now has 25 branches across the globe, which is committed to fulfil its mission.
Membership may be granted to those who successfully complete Professional qualifying examinations consisting seven subject papers out of 17.
In the early 1990s, Ghana was designated as an ICS examination centre hitherto candidates had to go to London to sit for the examinations.
The West Africa Branch of the Institute was inaugurated in Ghana in April 2010.