18th October, 2010
The Lagos State Government of Nigeria has paid over N47 million to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for the training of 24 youths in seafaring development programme.
This amount represents 60 per cent of its counterpart fund for the training of the youths who are Lagos indigenes.
Commissioner for Special Duties said the 24 youths were drawn from the 20 Local Government and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.
Kasali said the state government supported the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme due to the challenges posed by the insufficient number of seafarers, particularly as it affects the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry and the desire to create a new crop of skilled, competent seamen required by the industry.
According to him, Lagos is a thriving coastal state and as such, the government must begin to build the capacity of the youths in diverse areas of development which would in turn assist and encourage the teeming youth population constructively in areas that contributes to the growth of the state and the country at large.
Kasali stated that the programme would create a multiplier effect in the economy through the employment of the officers trained under the scheme.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Major Tunde Panox (retd) advised the youths not to let down the state.
He also advised them to put in their best and work as a team in any capacity they might find themselves, while urging them to shun all social vices that could bring embarrassment to them, their families and the state government.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Aderemi Desalu, encouraged the youths to always remember the children of whom they were and to see themselves as the best among the youths in the state.
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