Kunle Kalejaye 22 June 2016, Sweetcrude, Lagos – One hundred seafarers studying under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP, have graduated from the University of Perpetual Help, Philippines, after three years of study.
They were trained on the rudiments of ship sailing and other aspects of ship maintenance.
Specifically, the 100 cadets graduated with degrees in Maritime Transport, Marine Engineering and Navigational Technology. They returned to the country on Monday, June 13.
Following their return, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has assured that they would be given cadets sea time to garner experience.
NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, who said plans had been concluded in this regard,
disclosed that the sea time experience they would gain would lead to the issuance of Certificates of Competency to them, giving them the go ahead to commence a career as seamen.
Peterside congratulated them for successfully concluding their studies and returning home without any cases of misconduct.
The director general, who also commended the graduates for being good ambassadors of Nigeria, assured them of a hitch-free access to getting the necessary sea time experience that would make them complete seafarers.
“I must commend you all for being good ambassadors of Nigeria by not involving yourselves in any untoward act while in the Philippines. As a responsible agency, we will complete what we started by making sure that you all get the required sea time that will make you professionals in your chosen career,” Peterside said.
He noted that cadets are now part of a unique profession responsible for keeping the wheels of global commerce rolling and further restated the agency’s commitment to growing human and infrastructural capacity for the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
