November 26, (THEWILL) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that the establishment of the Nigeria Maritime University (NMU) located in Okerenkoko, Delta State was instrumental in bringing peace and harmony to the Niger Delta region.
The President made this known through a speech delivered on his behalf by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who represented him at the institution’s first-ever convocation ceremony held at the ceremonial parade ground, Kurutie Campus, Okerenkoko, Delta State, on Saturday, November 25.
You would recall that before the emergence of the Nigeria Maritime University, which was set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2015, there had been lots of menaces such as kidnap, ransom demand and other youth restiveness in the region.
“I would want to emphasise that the President was fully committed to attending this event, but unfortunately, he was held up with other State functions. So, he personally handed me the full speech he wrote and corrected himself, and directed me to represent and read the speech on his behalf,” the Minister told the crowd.
The Aviation Minister was the review officer at the 3-in-1 maiden convocation ceremony where he inspected the graduands’ guards of honour, and decorated His Eminence, Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, OFR, DF, Seriyal 11, the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom, who was installed as the school’s first-ever Chancellor.
The President congratulated and rejoiced with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel Munakurogha Adigio, other principal officers of the university, members of the senate, deans of faculties, the entire staff, students and indeed the Gbaramatu people in Delta State, on whose soil the special institution is founded, on the occasion of the graduation of the first set of students from the Nigeria Maritime University.
“This event is indeed a significant moment in our national history in the educational sector, as it represents the culmination of governments’ efforts in conceptualising, planning and building an institution of this nature that will impact human capital development in our nation’s maritime economy.
“As you are all aware, the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State, was statutorily established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in May 2015, as our nation’s premier maritime university, and commenced academic activities in the 2017/2018 academic session. I would like to note that since the establishment of the University, peace has returned to the entire Niger Delta region, which in the past has been a hot shot of crisis and militancy,” he said.
The President also stated that he’s aware of the University’s vision, which is to be the maritime institution of first choice for all those seeking to make a career in the maritime industry and contribute towards the creation of employment and wealth in the highly competitive global maritime economy.
He noted, “From what I am seeing here today, I have no doubts, whatsoever in my mind that, in no distant time, this university would record great achievements in the area of building our capacity in maritime technology and business, in line with best global practices that would place our nation on the list of the great maritime economies of the world.”
The President also spoke on the challenges and constraints the university is currently contending with which he said he’s unaware of but stated that such challenges and constraints are not unusual during the early phases of life of any institution but he assured that this Government would continue to do its best to ensure that “your needs, in terms of infrastructure and human capacity, are addressed within the limits of available resources.”
On his final note, Keyamo challenged the graduands to go and explore and excel in the employment markets. “Our dear graduands, please note that the success we are celebrating today is a result of your sustained hard work and resilience. You have been well-groomed both in character and in learning to be able to face the challenges of life within and outside the four walls of the University environment. I congratulate you all.
“As the first graduands from this institution of higher learning in Nigeria, no doubt, you will always have a special place in the annals of the history of this University. Go, therefore, and show the World that you are great ambassadors, envoys and representatives of the Nigeria Maritime University,” he stated.
The colourful ceremony was attended by people of high administrative capability such as His Eminence, the Amanayabo of Twon-Brass, Alfred Papareye Diete-Spiff, Tompolo, and representatives of the Minister of Education, Delta State Governor to mention but a few.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
