In a significant move towards enhancing maritime education and fostering capacity development, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) officially transferred the state-of-the-art facility housing the Institute of Marine and Transport Technology to the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
NIMASA’s Director General, Jamoh, highlighted the project’s origins in the 2012/2013 period, initiated by the Agency’s previous leadership. Upon assuming the role of Director General, Jamoh prioritized the review and commencement of the project, emphasizing its national scope across all six geopolitical zones.
“The initiative is not peculiar to Uniport but is present in all the six geopolitical zones of the country. Any investment in education is definitely worthwhile,” said Jamoh. He underscored the crucial role education plays in addressing maritime crimes in the Niger Delta Region, expressing optimism that the Maritime institute’s beneficiaries would contribute to positioning Nigeria as a major maritime nation.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abraham Georgewill, conveyed gratitude for NIMASA’s decision to establish the Maritime institute at Uniport. Prof. Clifford Ofurum, representing Prof. Georgewill, assured that the University would provide the necessary faculty to ensure courses offered at the institute attain global accreditation and recognition.
Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Assistant Director of Public Relations at NIMASA, echoed the importance of this collaboration, marking a milestone in fostering educational advancements in the maritime sector.
The transfer of the ultra-modern complex signifies a joint commitment to advancing maritime education, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s prominence in the global maritime landscape.
