Daniel Terungwa
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) recently donated educational materials to Premier Academy School, Lugbe, Abuja, to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration.
This is part of the agency’s numerous corporate social responsibility projects.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, speaking during the event, emphasized NIMASA’s commitment to capacity building in the maritime industry, noting that secondary schools in the country are a good place to begin the awareness.
The DG encouraged the students, especially those in the sciences, to show interest in maritime by choosing maritime related careers, especially given the increasing role of maritime in Nigeria’s economic diversification effort. He said the current Cabotage regime had opened up many opportunities in maritime for indigenous investors and professionals.
Dr Jamoh announced the setting up of an endowment seat and scholarships for best students from the school willing to study maritime related courses in tertiary institutions. He said the Agency was willing to train such students in Nigeria and abroad.
NIMASA’s Boss noted that, in pursuit of NIMASA’s mandate to build capacity in the maritime industry, it was necessary to let students know the careers in the sector.
“From time to time, we do visit schools and, as you are aware, we have a number of tertiary institutions in the six geo-political zones we are funding in terms of maritime education. When it comes to capacity building, it is very important to have a very good foundation from secondary schools before you go to tertiary institutions,” he said.
The Director General said the Children’s Day celebrations presented a good opportunity to talk to students on the opportunities in the maritime industry. He also mentioned the federal government’s resolve to ensure safety and security in the country’s waters.
“We are trying to get it right through the Deep Blue project that will be launched soon by President Muhammadu Buhari. We are now going out in full force to make sure we avert or stop this issue of maritime insecurity,” he said.
