SEAFARERS’ DAY, 2012:

•    Angry Seafarers Protest At NIMASA Gate

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has called on the private sector to contribute to the development of seafaring in the country.
Speaking at a one day programme put together by the Maritime Reporters' Association of Nigeria(MARAN) as part of activities to mark the 2012 seafarers day, was the Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services of NIMASA, Hon.  Ibrahim Zelani said that there is need for private sector participation to make the lives of seafarers better.
The Executive Director who was represented by the Deputy Director of Maritime Capacity Building of the apex maritime regulatory agency, Mallam Ibrahim Jubril made this known yesterday at the celebrations.
Ironically, as the NIMASA topshot was making the appeal for a better life for Nigerian seafarers, scores of unemployed and retired seafarers stormed the head office of the agency to protest years of neglect.
The protesters who are suspected to be ex-employees of the liquidated national carriers; Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) and who numbered about 100 were sighted yesterday morning by our correspondent at the  Burma road office of the maritime agency with placards bearing different messages all pointing to neglect and failure to pay them outstanding entitlements.
They were later dispersed by the police, allegedly on the invitation of NIMASA.    
But Zelani at the MARAN event also said that there is need for more organisations to organise more things in the interest of the seafarers not only for training, but for sustenance.
He called on MARAN members to assist in the areas of sensitizing the private sector in order to encourage the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) of NIMASA.
Zelani said that there is need for Nigerian seafarers to obtain university degrees for international recognition as most seafarers in the country are known with diploma Certificate. According to him, seafarers with Degrees are more appreciated when compared to those with Diploma.
He added that there should be room for state governments to be sensitized on the NSDP as some states are not enlightened on the programme.
He reiterated that the burden of training the seafarers in the country lies on the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, Akwa Ibom state, adding that NIMASA is there to accredit and award certificates. ”Training of Cadets is not for Cabotage regime, it is for International Trade, once they go to a very good school and shipping companies recognise them, their job is not only in Nigeria, but international recognition' ,he added. .
“The burden of training the seafarers lies on the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, though NIMASA accredits and awards certificates, but if there is nobody to say that I want to establish a training Institution, NIMASA will not have anybody to accredit”.
He also noted that training institutions need not own vessels, but added that oceangoing vessels remained the best for a more realistic and practical sea time training.
“It is important to note that the mandatory 16-month sea time training typically involves handling of cargoes, as well as managing of passengers. That is why ownership of a mere training ships by training institutions is not good enough, but rather vessels that operate on commercial ventures are most appropriate,” Hon Zailani said.
And to also commemorate the day, the Secretary-General, International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Koji Sekimizu called for tributes for seafarers.
“On the Day of the Seafarer, let us pay tribute to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers for the unique and all-too-often overlooked contribution they make to the well-being of all of us. Let us take the opportunity to remember all those things that came by sea and which we could not live without. And, most importantly, let all of us make this the occasion on which we say ‘Thank you, seafarers’.”
In his message, Mr. Sekimizu recognized the sometimes harsh conditions that seafarers face, and encouraged shipowners and States to provide good facilities for crew and to promote fair treatment of seafarers.
 He also advised the young ones to embrace seafaring as a profession, saying,   the youths should “seriously consider seafaring, as even today it provides the chance to see the world and get paid for doing so! It also provides for a fulfilling and rewarding professional career either as a lifelong seafarer or as a springboard for related professional jobs in the maritime industries ashore".