Sea time: Navy hands over training vessels to Maritime academy

The Nigerian Navy has handed over two vessels to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, to boost the academy’s chances of having cadets get some sea time training as part of their programme in the academy.

Disclosing this to maritime journalists in Lagos recently, the chairman, governing Council of the academy, Chief Demola Seriki, stated that the two vessels would go a long way in ensuring the cadets not only learn the theoretical aspect of their programme, but also get the practical aspect of what they are being taught.

He said, “I have just been reliably informed that the Nigerian Navy has given us two vessels to enhance our cadets quest for sea time experience as part of their training programme. This is laudable as it will provide us practical aspect of what the cadets are being taught in class.

“The governing board of the Academy, in conjunction with the rector has been working assiduously to ensure that the academy is number one in Africa. We have been talking to stakeholders in the area of capacity development for the academy.

A training vessel is not something that the ministry can buy for the academy, so we have had to think out of the box to see to that, and that is the outcome of the Nigerian Navy’s assistance to the academy.”

“I am also talking to other stakeholders, including the NLNG and others, and very soon, more capacity will come the way of the Academy.”