In a significant stride towards bolstering the maritime industry in Nigeria, Stoilic Shipping Limited has joined hands with the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to sponsor the comprehensive sea-time training of 10 promising cadets.
Speaking at the launch of the fully-sponsored sea-time training programme in Lagos, Engr. Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, expressed his appreciation for Stoilic Shipping’s proactive approach in fostering indigenous capacity within the Nigerian maritime space. Engr. Wabote reiterated the board’s dedication to expanding the capacity of the maritime industry and underlined the crucial role that comprehensive training plays in this endeavor.
Engr. Wabote who was represented by Mr. Timbiri Augustine, Manager of Human and Capital Development at NCDMB, highlighted the challenges that the cadets might face during their learning journey, such as adapting to various environments, navigating language barriers, and even turbulent weather conditions. Emphasizing the international standards of maritime training, he stressed that the skills acquired could lead to opportunities not only in Nigeria but also globally.
“We are building capacity and capability, but we are not limiting the utilisation of this capacity to the Nigerian maritime, oil and gas industries.
“The training is the type that will take you to other countries and different ports and therefore commitment is very critical, because the standard in view is a global factor, not Nigerian factor,” he said.
Praising Stoilic Shipping for their dedication to the programme, Engr. Wabote confirmed the board’s commitment to sustaining this valuable partnership.
The Executive Director of Stoilic Shipping, Mrs. Irene McFoy while speaking, urged the cadets to become trailblazers in the maritime industry by elevating the standards of Nigerian seafarers.
She assured the cadets that the company and its technical partners would provide comprehensive training modules and hands-on experience aboard ocean-going vessels to prepare them for their Certificates of Competency (CoC).
McFoy’s while speaking echoed a desire to see Nigeria become a leading supplier of seafarers to the international maritime sector, much like the Philippines.
Drawing attention to the Philippines’ substantial revenue generation from seafaring, McFoy believed that with the right approach, Nigeria could surpass or even match such success.
Mcfoy also urged the trainees to interact, be humble and learn from their teachers, comply with the rules, safety guidelines and all given ethical values of the maritime profession and their particular field.
“The company as a major private sector leader wants Nigeria to be one of the foremost countries supplying seafarers to the international maritime industry just like the Philippines.
“At least 28 per cent of the Philippines’ revenue comes from seafaring, there is nothing stopping Nigeria from being the best, or even better than the Philippines,” she said.
Stoilic Shipping’s Managing Director, Mr. Lotanna, added his voice to the chorus of encouragement, urging the cadets to seize the opportunity, persevere through challenges, and make their mark in the maritime world.
The two groups added that the collaboration between NCDMB and Stoilic Shipping signifies a pivotal stride towards empowering Nigerian youth to contribute significantly to the maritime industry and potentially transform Nigeria into a prominent player on the global maritime stage.
