AMAE: Maritime Stakeholders Canvass Capacity Development to Unlock Industry Growth
… as teenager wins one year scholarship, laptop
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Maritime industry who converged at the opening ceremony of the 2024 African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) are unanimous in the call for intentional human capacity development to catalyse growth in Nigeria’s Maritime sector.
This year’s AMAE themed “History and Trends” which opened yesterday, is the third in the series of yearly exhibitions hosted by the Chief Executive Officer, Media Traction Limited, Mrs. Ezinne Azunna, and also doubles as the first official reading and unveiling of three books authored by finalists of the Maritime Writes Project, an annual writing workshop hosted by the company.
In her remarks at the books presentation, Azunna explained that the inspiration to start the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) and AMAE were sparked as a result of industry submissions of existing workforce gaps in the Maritime industry which were perceived may be sponsored by a lack of exposure of young people to the sector.
According to Azunna, the MWP is an effort aimed at creating more awareness in young people on the Maritime industry through training and mentorship and empowering young people with the requisite skills to create Maritime themed short stories which would in turn inspire more young people towards considering Maritime careers.
In the same vein, the AMAE is an opportunity to preserve the rich and diverse beauty of African art through paintings, sculptures and pictures demonstration the evolution of Nigeria’s marine environment as well as exposing young people to take advantage of the career gaps to drive industry continuity and progress.
She said: “During a Women in Shipping and Trading Africa (WISTA) event, it was being said that we didn’t have people coming into the industry and that there was a workforce gap. I stood up with a microphone and I said that before I got into the industry as a journalist, I knew nothing of it and that the only book I had read on the Maritime sector was Robinson Crusoe.
“The event ended and everybody went away so I felt like nobody understood but Engr. Greg called me on the phone and commended my contribution. I think God just knew that that was the nudging I needed at the moment. He encouraged me and promised me his support. That gave me the courage to call Dr. Alausa, who was my HoD at the university. Dr. Alausa was the very second person I spoke to about it and he put together the MWP faculty.
“I would also at this point want to mention that late Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi was a mentor in the industry and she also went all out for this project and if you read the dedication, I said in there that besides both of them, to everyone who makes a sacrifice to move the Maritime industry forward, this book is dedicated to you.”
Meanwhile, the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard, Lagos, Rear Admiral Abolaji Orederu, emphasized the importance of engaging children early on to know the industry for themselves and exposing them to the roles they can play within the sector.
“Children are the future and I am so excited about what is happening in the Maritime sector. As a young boy I knew nothing about the Navy until I got into the Nigerian Defence Academy. I wish I knew more before I got into the NDA. For this children, I think this exposure is a very good development.
“It’s a privilege that we are hosting this third edition of the program at the Naval Dockyard, Lagos. Creating that awareness and allowing people to understand the roles they can play and bringing stakeholders together is a very important activity. This vision will go round Africa and to all the continent’s of the world.”
Other stakeholders present at the event, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun-of Starz Investment Limited and former Director General, NIMASA, Mr. Temisan Omatseye stated that the need to drive human capacity development is crucial to sustaining the Nigerian Maritime industry.
The President, Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Bar. Funke Agbo supported the MWP books project launching it with the sum of N1million. Engr Ogbeifun- supported the MWP book Project with the sum of N1 million while pledging N2 million on behalf of his company. Ogbeifun- also donated 10 sets of the three books published to all Maritime universities in Nigeria, each set costing N25,000.
To support one of the finalists of the MWP Project who also won an international awards, Ms Uchenna Ohaeri, Rear Admiral Orederu pledged a one year scholarship in support of her academic pursuit while the Controller, Tin Can Island Port Customs Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, pledged to support Ms Ohaeri’s academic growth with a laptop.
However, a member of the MWP faculty, Dr Nolas Alausa, while appreciating the kind words and gestures of stakeholders at the event, noted that the need to continue the work of human capacity development is important for the Maritime sector, however, constraints of funding may pose a limiting factor.
While commending industry stakeholders for showing up for the event, he urged stakeholders continue to support the initiative which would outlive everyone in the long run.
“Let us forget about the institutions now and focus on building people first. When we build the people, the people will build the processes and the processes will outlive all of us. Last year, the MWP was in like four cities across the nation and I am happy today that we can see the results. We can see three volumes of writings here published by these young kids.
“This is why it is important that nations must first of all invest in their human resources and invest in the people. When you build the people, you build the nation. Through Ezinne, we have young people who are published. Which we hope will also inspire others. It’s a good thing and we want to continue in this stead.
“The only thing I want to solicit for is for support because often times, she would call me at midnight and say, Sir, how are we going to do this. There is no funding for this. What do we do? What options do we have? We have been trying to do this in our own way as our own CSR to the community and for this to continue, we need more help and more assistance,”
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