IMO Scribe, Adegboyega Oyetola Commend Kevin Okonna For Repositioning MAN, Oron As Centre For Excellence
By Asuquo Nuwak
IMO Scribe, Adegboyega Oyetola Commend Kevin Okonna For
Repositioning MAN, Oron As Centre For
Excellence
The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez and the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, have commended the Acting Rector, of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna for remarkable progress being recorded in the Academy.
Shortly after the Acting Rector’s presentation on the achievements and challenges of Maritime Academy of Nigeria since December 2017, the Technical Advisory Mission of the International Maritime Organisation, commended the Acting Rector for his ingenuity, dedication, innovation, and commitment in repositioning the Academy as a centre of excellence in maritime education and training, pointing out that the institution has witnessed tremendous improvement in infrastructure, training standards, and administrative efficiency.
The Honourable Minister, who commended Dr Kevin Okonna for the good work he is doing in MAN, Oron, also announced that the impressive transformation taking place at the Academy reflects their renewed drive to align maritime education with the goals of the Blue Economy.
He pointed out that the Academy’s visible infrastructural renewal, enhanced academic standards, and the possession of cutting-edge training facilities have further strengthened Nigeria’s capacity to produce world-class seafarers and maritime professionals.
In his comment, the IMO’s Scribe expressed satisfaction over the training facilities at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
Similarly, he commended the Acting Rector for working towards the Academy’s adherence to global maritime standards, particularly its efforts in producing competent, technology-driven maritime professionals capable of driving Nigeria’s participation in the Blue Economy.
He thanked the Acting Rector for bringing the Cadets of Maritime Academy of Nigeria to the future of shipping in Nigeria and the World. He said, it is unfortunate that he could not visit the Academy this time, but noted that from the presentation by Acting Rector, the Academy has grown immensely since 2017 till 2025.
In his presentation, the Acting Rector, expressed appreciation to the IMO for their technical assistance towards the development of the Academy since its establishment and its contributions to global shipping development.
He also expressed appreciation to IMO’s contributions on the development and implementation of its instruments for ensuring safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans, particularly its international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978, as amended and the IMO Model Courses.
Commenting on the outcomes and remarkable achievements of the Academy following the IMO’s December 2017 Technical Advisory Mission to the Academy, the Acting Rector said since the Mission in 2017, the Academy has been restructured and repositioned for global competitiveness as key nonconformities observed then have all been cleared with the aim of enhancing the Academy’s training capacity.
He identified the following areas needed for upgrading to include the installation of state-of-the-art simulators for hands-on training, a fully equipped Marine Engineering Workshop with functional marine engines and other equipment, a Marine Exhibition Hall showcasing real ship components and other equipment, a Survival Pool Complex with covered pools for different trainings including HUET facilities, a Jetty head with full complement of facilities for PSCRB training, and a functional free-fall lifeboat with Davit.
Commenting further, he said the Academy currently trains and graduates about 200 cadets yearly, with three quarter of the cadets being in the seafaring professions and all being registered with at least one professional body, including the Nautical Institute, UK, IMAREST, UK and CILT Nigeria, while still in school.
Besides, he affirmed that the Academy also trains more than four thousand (4,000) participants yearly in the available forty-eight (48) accredited mandatory short courses and specialized seafarers training programmes, comprising more than seven hundred (700) participants annually in the Preparatory Classes for Certificates of Competency (COC) examinations leading to issuance of seafarers’ COC by NIMASA.
Dr. Okonna further pointed out that the reforms in the Academy are also in tandem with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy and positioning the country as a regional maritime powerhouse.
He added that the Academy’s focus on excellence, infrastructural upgrade, and improved training standards is aimed at reflecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for national development and maritime advancement.
He therefore reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to sustaining the tempo through innovation, transparency, and strategic partnerships with industry stakeholders.
Commenting during interaction with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria’s cadets in Lagos, the Secretary-General of IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, provided valuable insights into the IMO’s current focus areas, global maritime strategies, the future of seafaring in a rapidly evolving industry and how cadets can align their training with international best practices.
The IMO Scribe, urged the young seafarers to actively support the transition to sustainable shipping by implementing eco-friendly practices and applying knowledge gained from maritime training institutions.
Commenting on sharing personal values and advice that shaped his personal professional journey, he said the qualities that helped him grow were humility, knowledge sharing, ambition in moderation, while he advised cadets to be humble, learn as much as possible, always be professional, share knowledge freely, gather experience as much as they can, maintain integrity, take opportunities as they come, and understand that not every opportunity is remunerated.
In appreciating the management of the Academy, while sharing lessons learnt during the interactive session, the chief cadet captain, cadet Ibezimako Anthony Udoka, on behalf of other cadets said, they have learnt that technology in shipping is meant to support seafarers, not to replace them.
He also said it has become clear that the future of maritime operations depends on professionals embracing greener practices and contributing to decarbonization efforts of the IMO.
He is quoted as saying that: “The Secretary-General’s piercing words of advice also reminded us that humility, integrity, and continuous learning are qualities that truly define a successful seafarer. So, I want to sincerely thank the Acting Rector, Dr. Kevin Okonna for the exposure, cadets have never had it this good. I want to thank everyone who has supported the Academy in the measure that has led to the kind of development we are enjoying in the Academy. Our hostels are very comfortable with twenty-four hours of power supply, smart classrooms, conducive learning environment, and top-notched training facilities. We are very grateful.
About The Author
