Gov Aliyu Commends NIMASA

The Niger State governor Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has commended the management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its efforts in building human capacity for the Nigerian maritime industry.

The Governor stated this when the Director General/CEO of NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi led the Executive Management, Management and some staff of the Agency on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Minna.

Aliyu expressed profound appreciation by the government and people of Niger State over the decision of the Agency to establish an Institute of Maritime Studies at the state-owned Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, saying this is a sure way of correcting the dearth of seafarers globally.

“The world is in short supply of seafarers by about 50 per cent. To build human capacity in this area locally, we must empower our institutions to contribute to the training of seafarers. I want to assure NIMASA that we would do all that is necessary to support this Institute. Even though you have said NIMASA would sponsor the establishment of this Institute 100 per cent, as a responsible government, we will not hesitate to commit resources to this project if need be,” he promised.

Governor Aliyu who has vast experience of the maritime sector over the years, during his appointment as the Director of Maritime Services in the Federal Ministry of Transport and later as its Permanent Secretary, observed that the DG of NIMASA has proved everybody wrong by galvanizing thoughts with a clear vision of repositioning the maritime sector.

—Esther Komolafe