The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has commended beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme for emerging as shining examples of resilience and professionalism.
No fewer than 34 cadets under the NSDP recently obtained their Certificates of Competency, marking a defining moment in their long journey to professional recognition within the global maritime industry.
Speaking during an appreciation visit by the newly certified officers in Lagos, Mobereola described the graduates as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, noting that their conduct and discipline reflect the highest standards expected of seafarers.
The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Osagie Edward, who highlighted the DG’s confidence in the capacity of Nigerian seafarers to excel globally.
Mobereola noted that the officers had endured years of uncertainty but chose perseverance over despair, turning what could have been setbacks into opportunities for growth and achievement.
“You have weathered the storm; the future will be easier for you. We are proud of you,” the NIMASA boss declared, urging them to uphold professionalism in all their engagements.
He further charged the seafarers to remain disciplined and committed to excellence, while also mentoring younger cadets who aspire to build careers in the maritime sector.
According to him, Nigeria’s maritime industry stands to benefit immensely from their expertise, stressing that consistency and integrity remain critical to sustaining global competitiveness.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Edet Uttibe Michael expressed deep appreciation to the NIMASA management, recounting that many of them had spent nearly eight years without sea time training after graduating from maritime institutions in Romania.
He noted that the intervention of the current leadership restored hope and enabled them to finally achieve certification, describing Mobereola as a visionary whose decisive actions resolved a longstanding challenge.
The agency had in 2024 initiated a strategic programme to address the sea time gap, deploying 40 cadets to the South Shields Marine School of Tyne Coast College in the United Kingdom, out of which 34 successfully earned their Certificates of Competency.