By Isaiah Eka
The Governing Council, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom, has called for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure effective maritime education and training.
The Chairman, Mr Kehinde Akinola, made the call in Oron on Monday at the 2026 first quarter citizens/stakeholders engagement.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the engagement is: “Leveraging Community Partnership for Effective Implementation of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy”
Akinola said that the academy’s reputation of excellence and professionalism in maritime education and training should be sustained.
He stated that graduands of the academy remained the most sought-after across the world due to the reputation built by the institute.
“This academy has built a reputation of excellence and professionalism in maritime education and training over the years; it is the duty of stakeholders to sustain this feat.
“As critical stakeholders, we have to ensure that changes align with the core mission and strategic development plans of the institution.
“In the 2025 graduation ceremony, no fewer than 80 cadets got instant employment opportunities following the confidence reposed in the products of the academy,” he said.
The chairman also urged the host community to sustain its partnership with the academy and the Federal Government in the interest of steady growth.
Akinola assured stakeholders of the cooperation and support of the governing council to the host community.
He said that the academy had constructed and delivered seven lock-up shops and 19 open stalls at Eyo Abasi Community.
“The council has also completed a 6,000 litre solar-powered borehole at Udung Okung Village in Oron,” he said.
In his remarks, the Acting Rector, Dr Kevin Okonna, said that the academy took stakeholder engagements seriously because of its support to the system.
Represented by Dr John Adejanju, the Director, Research and Strategic Development, Okonna said that the engagement emphasised the need for public-private sector collaboration.
“This event is also in line with the provision of the National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy for partnership in training of Nigerian Merchant Navy Cadets,” he said.
He said that the 2025 stakeholders engagement had resulted in automatic employment opportunities for graduating cadets of the institution.
“A total of 43 Cadets from the academy have been placed onboard NLNG ships for their STCW Mandatory one-year sea time experience between Dec. 2025 and Feb. 2026,” he said.
NAN reports that seven lock-up shops and 19 open stalls were inaugurated at Eyo Abasi Community as part of the engagement.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Azubuike Okeh
