Godwin Oritse
1 January 2009
Lagos — The Ukrainian government has commenced moves to partner with the federal government in the area of human resource development with a view to reducing the problem of unemployment in Africa, just as its ambassador in Nigeria recently commissioned the Oyo main Campus of the African Maritime Academy.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony , Fleet Commodore Muhammed Yusuf , Director of Studies of the Academy said that the educational relationship between both countries has been mutually beneficial, adding that the need to consolidate the relationship cannot be over-emphasized.
Yusuf also said that the agreement the academy has with the Merchant Navy Training Board of Europe has seen over five hundred cadets and officers from Nigeria and the African sub-region going to Ukraine for higher training in maritime education.
The fleet commander explained that the programme embarked upon by the academy has also enjoyed the approval of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), adding that the objective of the programme is to address the hydra headed unemployment problem in Africa with a view to training skilled personnel in the area of Nautical Science, Marine Engineering and Transport, Maritime Business and Port and Shipping Administration.
He disclosed that plans have reached advanced stage for the take off of the African Maritime University (first of its kind in West Africa) to be sited in Oyo State, stating further that necessary technical and logistic support have been put in place for its smooth take off.
His words "Having kept the priority in specialist training for the MNTB Special Training Programme for Africa region, the academy has greatly broadened the spectrum of specialties which fully handle the regional/global needs.
"Traditionally, African Maritime Academy has wide and various links with many educational research institutions in many countries of the world.
"In collaboration with foreign partner through exchange of ideas and vision on scientific conferences and seminars, exchange of lecturers and students is also encouraged.
The African Maritime Academy is licensed to train African youths that are privileged to participate in this programme in more than 24 countries across the globe".
Also speaking at the commissioning, Ukrainian ambassador in Nigeria, Dr Oleg Skoropad who was represented by the Dr Timokhin Viacheslav Ukraine's representative to the United Nation on special programmes assured that his country will continue to support the academy and offer high quality maritime education to Nigerian cadets from the academy.
"My country's relationship with your academy has come a long way, it is only proper that we take this relationship to greater heights.
"It is my hope to continue to move Nigerian cadets from this academy in Ukraine for further studies in higher maritime education and possibly placement on board vessles in Ukraine".
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