FG appoints Okonna as acting rector maritime academy
The Federal Government of Nigeria has appointed Dr Kevin Okonna, as the Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
The appointment takes immediate effect, following the resignation of the former rector, Commodore Duja Effedua (rtd) from the academy.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs of the Academy, Mrs Domo Umoekpe, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday.
Umoekpe said the appointment was conveyed in a letter issued by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola on behalf of the federal government.
According to her, the minister urged Okonna to bring his extensive wealth of experience in the maritime sector to bear on his new role.
“Okonna is a distinguished maritime scholar with about three decades of dedicated service to the Academy.
“Holds impressive educational and professional credentials from recognised national and international institutions, including World Maritime University, Malmo Sweden.
“Having risen through the ranks, he has served the Academy in various capacities, including pioneer head of the maritime safety department.
“Pioneer director of the defunct MAN Consultancy services, pioneer Director of Strategy and research and development directorate.
“As a distinguished member of the Nautical Institute (NI), UK, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT),” she said.
She added that Okonna has contributed immensely to the development of the academy.
Umoekpe listed contributions of the new acting rector to the development of the academy to include active participation development of the institution, accreditation and delivery of several specialised seafarers courses, research initiatives, and fostering industry partnerships.
“The World Maritime University alumnus has also played pivotal roles in representing the academy in several Federal Government Committees, including the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS) audit of Nigeria in 2016 and the Federal Government’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) to restructure and reposition the academy for better service delivery from September 2017″
She, however, added that Okonna expressed gratitude to God and the Federal Government for his appointment and promised to put in his best to deliver on the responsibilities assigned to him.
“The academy has been at the forefront of quality training of maritime professionals and we are deeply committed to the strategic vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the able leadership of His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, to transform Nigeria into a global maritime powerhouse and to secure its position at the forefront of global blue economic growth in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
She maintained that Okonna has shown strong commitment to sustain and attract more developments to the academy.
“I am determined to work tirelessly for the greater and sustainable development of the academy while at the same time providing the required leadership during this period of transition in the status of the Academy, as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
Post Comment