Govt boosts cadets’ capacity

In line with the recommendations of the International Maritime Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Federal Government has commenced a mandatory training programme for marine cadets.

The government said that the three-day training would equip the cadets with essential skills in social responsibility, survivability, first aid at sea, security, and firefighting to make them competent to board vessels.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Prof. Abiodun Sule, stated this at the commencement of the training of 120 cadets at the Matral Maritime Training Centre in Lagos.

He highlighted that the training was rooted in the Safety of Life at Sea 74 as amended, the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, and the STCW Convention.

According to Sule, the programme offers unique training elements not available in Ghana, such as fishing techniques, depth calculation, and cargo handling, which are vital for sailing and working on both wet and dry cargo vessels globally.

Abiodun said the initiative was crucial for cadets specialising in nautical science, marine engineering, maritime technology, and fisheries, as it is a prerequisite for obtaining their certificates of competency.

He noted that without the programme, the cadets could not sail at sea, noting that the training covered a range from Officer of the Watch to Class 1 Certifications.

“The significant benefit of the programme is the considerable savings in foreign exchange, as Nigerian cadets had to travel to Ghana for such training, incurring substantial costs for tuition, flights, accommodation, and meals.

“Nigerian cadets spend about $300 in tuition fees alone for the programme in Ghana, aside from other costs, but with the sponsorship from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, it comes at no cost to the cadets,” Abiodun said.

Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao, said the initiative, designed to help cadets obtain mandatory sea-going certifications, addressed a critical gap in their professional training.

Alao highlighted that the certification programme, costing between N300,000 and N400,000, was unaffordable for many cadets, making the programme invaluable as the training was offered free to them.

The master mariner emphasised the importance of the certifications, noting that they are essential for all maritime professionals before they can go to sea.

The Managing Director of Matral Maritime Training Centre, Captain Ade Olopoenia,  emphasised the critical nature of comprehensive training for seafarers, particularly in light of recent developments in maritime security.

He said as a result, all seafarers must now complete comprehensive training to be eligible for maritime employment.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alumni Association of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology and Coordination of the program, Captain Fola Ojutalayo, emphasised the programme’s importance in addressing the challenges many graduates face regarding necessary certifications for boarding ships.