17 November 2008
The Governors of the nineteen northern states of Nigeria have passed a resolution to support and adopt the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) which is an initiative of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu made the position of the northern governors public while speaking at the South-West event of the sensitization workshop of the NSDP, which took place at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, Oyo State.
In his words " I was invited by the northern governors to make a presentation to them on this programme during their forum which took place in Kaduna. At the end of my presentation, the governors passed a resolution to support and adopt the Seafarers Development Programme for their various states." Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala who declared the South-West event open, also restated the state government's willingness to partner NIMASA to ensure the success of the Seafarers Development programme.
Governor Akala who noted that over 85 per cent of employment opportunities in the Nigerian Maritime Sector have been taken up by foreigners, expressed the view that the Seafarers Development programme has the potential of reversing the trend. He added that Seafaring should be inculcated into the curricula of learning in Nigerian secondary schools.
Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Adebayo Sarunmi who chaired the event, noted that the sea is very central to the growth of the Nigerian economy. While commending the management of NIMASA for the Seafarers Development Initiative, Chief Sarunmi advised the youths to embrace a career at sea describing it as highly rewarding.
"I must commend the NIMASA management for taking this initiative. It is actually long overdue as foreigners now dominate the Nigerian waters. This programme has the potential of totally transforming the face of seafaring in Nigeria. "
Dr Dosunmu, while delivering his keynote address, noted that the on-going sensitization exercise was aimed at creating genuine national awareness on the potentials of the Nigerian maritime sector and also create equal opportunities for Nigerians as well as increasing the nation's skill base.
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