…As Wabote applauds Stoilic Shipping for showing commitment to developing indigenous capacity
…Nigeria can generate huge revenue by producing seafarers — McFoy
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote has commended the Management of Stoilic Shipping Limited for its commitment to growing indigenous Capacity for the Nigerian maritime sector adding that the partnership between both bodies would only usher in further progress for the Nigerian maritime industry.
Engr. Wabote who was speaking as NCDMB and Stoilic flagged off a full-scholarship sea-time training for 10 cadets in Lagos today, reassured on the Board’s commitment to growing capacity for the Maritime Industry adding that the agency takes the training very seriously even as he noted that maritime trainings are cost intensive and would only take the commitment of parties involved.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by the Board’s Manager, Human and Capital Development, Mr. Timbiri Augustine, said that the conduct of the trainees has an implication on the country advising them not to be distracted at any point as they may face mild challenges such as turbulent weather, different environments, language barrier amongst others in their period of learning.
In his words: “We are building capacity and capability, but we are not limiting the utilisation of this capacity to the Nigerian maritime and oil gas industry. The training is the type that will take you to other countries and different ports and therefore commitment is very critical, because the standard in view is a global factor, not Nigerian factor.”
Speaking further, he commended Stoilic Shipping for their commitment to the programme and re-emphasised the Board’s drive to the sustenance of the partnership.
On her part, the Executive Director of Stoilic Shipping, Mrs. Irene McFoy, charged the cadets to “change the dynamics of shipping companies not wanting Nigerian seafarers by stepping up the standards.”
She assured the cadets that the company and its technical partners would take them through many training modules and placed them on ocean-going vessels, where they must start preparing for their CoC.
Mcfoy also urged the trainees to interact, be humble and learn from their teachers, comply with the rules, safety guidelines and all given ethical values of the maritime profession and their particular field.
According to her, the company, as a major private sector leader “wants Nigeria to be one of the foremost countries supplying seafarers to the international maritime industry just like the Philippines.”
Noting that at least 28 per cent of the Philippines’ revenue comes from seafaring, McFoy, who was in charge of the cadet training at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) before retiring, insisted that “there is nothing stopping Nigeria from being the best, or even better than the Philippines.”
She commended NCDMB for the partnership and re-emphasised that Nigeria is a littoral state, that has the manpower and the intelligence. She said that all the country needed is to get these students properly harnessed and Nigeria will do very well in the maritime sector.
Also, the Managing Director of Stoilic Shipping, Mr. Lotanna, urged the cadets to write their names in gold and always remember where they are coming from, he charged them not to be discouraged and tired and to always remember that there are many fellow graduates out there who yearn for this opportunity.