As part of efforts to stimulate interest in the nation’s marine and blue economy among children, Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF) has given onboard ship experience to 35 students from nine secondary schools in Lagos.
Aside the educational tour of various parts of a ship and a short-sea trip on a tugboat, the students also enjoyed lectures on numerous career opportunities in the Marine and Blue Economy as well as the paths to success in the respective fields.
The participating schools were: Royal International School; Dobar College, Ikorodu; Yaba College of Technology Secondary School; Olanike Dairo Secondary School; Federal Government Girls College, Oyo; Keystone College, Lagos; Mind Builders Secondary School, Alausa; CMS Grammar School; and Honeyland College.
Speaking at the event tagged: “Special Easter School to Sea Career Program”, the President of OAF, Mrs. Violet Williams, said the initiative is a strategic effort to fill the gap in knowledge about the maritime sector among young children.
Her words: “Maritime isn’t taught in schools at primary or secondary levels but this initiative avails an opportunity for secondary students to learn about the marine and blue economy sector.
“I don’t just see these young ones as children but as potential marine engineers, maritime lawyers, ship captains, master mariners, among other beautiful career paths in the maritime sector.
“Let me also seize the opportunity to commend the dream actualizers and nation builders in the mould of teachers. The work that you do in the development of these children is special and amazing.”
Noting that this year’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is #Accelerate Action, Williams posited that in order to accelerate action, one must know the right action to take and how to go about it.
“Our emphasis is more on the girl-child because the industry, especially in seafaring remains largely male-dominated as women account for only 2% of seafarers globally. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has been intentional about promoting women and canvassing gender parity in the sector,” she remarked.
During the tour on one of the tugboats at LTT Coastal and Marine Services Limited, a female Chief Engineer, Abimbola Ladundoye, showed the participating students several parts of a tugboat’s engine as well as other parts of a ship and their functions.
The event also featured a guest lecture delivered by the Managing Director of Nacet Marine Services Limited, Mr. Anthony Ogadi, who gave an overview of the maritime sector as well as its logistics and supply chain.
Ogadi, who was a former Head of Shipping Development at Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), explained the essence of maritime trade to the global economy, highlighting the industry’s role in sustaining manufacturing and food security, cargo inspection, insurance, among others.
A former Commercial Manager at APM Terminals and Managing Partner, Temerity International Experts Limited, Mrs. Temilade Ogunniyi, informed the students about the opportunities to birth technological innovations to drive the nation’s marine and blue economy.
“As someone who has worked at the seaports, I see the deployment of technology as an area that is yet to be fully exploited in the port sector.
“Anything that would be efficient in ports or other aspects of the marine and blue economy must be driven by automation and technology,” she remarked.
Logistics expert and Managing Director of Gobel Energy and Logistics, Mrs. Ruth Chukwukezirm, also engaged the students on issues and opportunities in logistics and supply chain.
Other guests at the event included; former Secretary of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Mrs. Faith-Hope Alloysius; the Head of Human Resources at LTT Coastal and Marine Services, Mrs. Theodore Nwaeze; among others.
