Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron has organised a lecture series to equip the 157 cadets of the 2023 graduating set comprising 66 cadets who graduated with Higher National Diploma (HND) and 91 cadets who graduated National Diploma (ND) for the future.
One of the guest lecturers, Rear Adm. Francis Akpan (rtd) has said that good governance would enhance the future of the blue economy in the country.
Akpan said this at the Maritime lecture for the 2023 Cadets graduation ceremony held at the Maritime Academy Auditorium, Oron on Tuesday, while speaking on the topic; “Emerging Challenges and Opportunities for Maritime Workforce in the Blue Economy.”
He added that the benefits and opportunities available in the blue economy could be achieved through good policy formulation, adequate funding and the right legislation to ensure policies are not abused.
He informed the cadets that there are a lot of opportunities for them in the maritime industry, adding the blue economy is an alternative to the oil industry as it could create jobs and generate income for the teeming youths.
The guest lecturer said that the concept of a blue economy provides a more holistic vision that embraces economic growth.
He said that with the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the country was on the right track to harness the enormous benefits of the blue economy sector.
He said that the maritime workforce is important to the blue economy as it is the critical contributor of the human capital that would make the concept viable.
He informed the cadets that there are opportunities for them in the areas of maritime services such as; ship brokering and charter services.
Others include; insurance/underwriting, naval architecture, fleet management, marine risk management, Maritime law arbitration and flight forwarding among others.
“Fishing, trawling, and fish farming will require a huge maritime workforce considering the huge gap between demand and supply value chain in a blue economy.
“The cumulative effect of direct and indirect jobs from maritime tourism will help reduce the nation’s unemployment level,” Akpan said.
Another guest lecturer, Dr Kevin Okonna, in his lecture titled; “Digitalisation in the Maritime Industry and the Prospect/Challenges for Skilled Maritime Workforce” said that Digitalisation is crucial for the maritime industry.
He said that digitisation is transforming analogue data to digital, such as converting paper documents to PDF while digitalisation is utilising technology to enhance corporate processes, such as using Zoom to hold meetings.
Okonna, who is a former lecturer of the Maritime Academy, Oron urged cadets to embrace digitisation to remain relevant in the industry.
He said that digitisation would ensure the safety and efficiency of maritime transport and the smooth functioning of the global supply chains.
“Today’s customers’ expectations require reliable, flexible, transparent and cost-efficient transport services.
“The support of digital technologies is essential to better manage sea transportation,” Okonna said.
Okonna commended the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Effedua, who has ensured the digitisation of all departments in the institution.
He reminded cadets that it was because of the digitisation of the academy that academic activities were still on in the institution through digitalisation during the COVID-19 pandemic as lectures and examinations were conducted virtually.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of the 2023 Maritime Lecture is; “Evolving Career Opportunities in the Global Blue Economy.”