MARITIME UNIVERSITY WILL GROW CAPACITY, CREATE EMPLOYMENT

MARITIME UNIVERSITY WILL GROW CAPACITY, CREATE EMPLOYMENT – GOV OKOWA.

By Funmi Coker

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has declared that the predominance of conventional universities in Nigeria to the detriment of specialised universities is largely responsible for the current unemployment challenge confronting the Nigerian Economy.

GOVERNOR IFEANYI OKOWA

Receiving the Management of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Governing Council of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) during a courtesy visit in Asaba, Governor Okowa stated that specialised universities would provide the right tools to equip graduates with requisite Technicalabilities that would make them create employment after completing their studies.

“Nigeria should move beyond conventional universities and seek to establish specialised universities which will give the right tools and practical learning that will make graduates employers of Labour, rather than job seekers. The unemployment in Nigeria today is largely due to our focus on conventional Education” He stated.

While Commending the Management of NIMASA for the vision in establishing the University, Governor Okowa urged other Agencies of Government to think outside the box, and toe the line of NIMASA.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi noted that the Agency conceived the university concept to guarantee sustainable international training of qualified manpower for the Maritime industry. He said that the dearth of qualified manpower in the Nigerian Maritime sector was the driving Forcebehind the University project.

On her part, the Pro Chancellor, Professor Mrs viola Onwuliri, noted that the University would play a major role in effectively growing adequate capacity to harness the Nigerian Maritime potentials.

Mrs Onwuliri, who is the immediate past Minister of State for Education, announced that the Governing Council was consulting with the Nigeria Universities Commission and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, to ensure that academic activities commence during the next academic session. 

The Federal Government recently approved a Governing Council for the institution, headed by Professor (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri. Professor (Mrs.) Maureen Etebu was also appointed as Vice Chancellor while Mr. Anho Nathaniel Lucky is the Registrar.