As part of efforts to deepen the patronage of the Mission to Seafarers (MTS) Centre in Apapa Lagos, the directors visited the Flag Officer Commaning (FOC) Western Navy Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, as ideas were shared on the attaining a magnificent MTS Apapa centre for global seafarers.
The MTS Lagos delegation comprising board members and the Chaplains explored various approaches on make the Apapa centre a beehive of activities for seafarers.
Speaking at the meeting, the Assistant Chaplain, MTS Lagos, Rev. Emmanuel Ilori, noted that there is a need for synergy between those who fight at sea (navies) and people who trade on the seas (seafarers).
According to Ilori, the activities of MTS Lagos provides a nexus for both categories of seamen, even as he marketed the luxurious and entertaining ambience of MTS Apapa centre to the Naval boss.
He, however, commended the Nigerian Navy for its significant role in addressing the menace of piracy and maritime crimes in the Nigerian maritime domain, adding that the nation’s bad image from piracy is rapidly changing.
On his part, the FOC, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Hassan, recalled his enjoyable experience at the MTS Apapa in the 1990s as a young officer.
“I frequently visited the MTS Centre in Apapa around the 1990s. My visit was usually just to swim at the pool. However, there were hardly any seafarers at MTS because it was a calm environment for relaxation. Seafarers mostly preferred the bubbling places like The Pub at that time,” the Naval boss said.
He equally advised the leadership of MTS Lagos to develop a sustainable plan with regards to funding as well as explore avenues to make the centre an entertaining location.
While promising to pay a personal visit to the Apapa MTS Centre, the Naval boss suggested that outsourcing the operations of the Centre may be the best approach to attain topnotch services and an enjoyable ambience that will endear seafarers.
Rear Admiral Hassan encouraged maritime agencies like Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), among others to provide frequent monetary support to enable MTS Lagos maintain its noble activities.
