The President of the Alumni of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron (AMANO), Mr Emmanuel Maiguwa, on Wednesday commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, for what he described as the Minister’s visionary leadership and transformative reforms that are repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
Maiguwa gave the commendation when he led members of the executive committee of the alumni association on a courtesy visit to the Minister at his office in Abuja, where he applauded the Ministry’s policy direction and strategic interventions aimed at unlocking the enormous economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
He particularly praised Dr Oyetola for driving the development and adoption of Nigeria’s first-ever National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a landmark achievement that provides the country with a comprehensive strategic framework for the sustainable development, regulation and management of its vast marine resources.
According to him, the policy represents a significant milestone in the nation’s maritime history because it establishes a clear roadmap for investment, environmental sustainability, capacity development, innovation and inter-agency collaboration across the sector.
The AMANO President further praised the Minister for his “firm commitment to preserving the integrity, professional identity and specialised mandate of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.” According to Maiguwa, protecting the Academy’s specialised status would ensure that Nigeria continues to produce globally competitive maritime professionals who meet international certification requirements under the International Maritime Organisation conventions and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
“We are concerned about preserving professionalism and ensuring Nigeria maintains a steady supply of competent maritime manpower. Because our members work across the industry — locally and internationally — we understand the system deeply. That is why we are insisting that nothing should be allowed to undermine the Academy’s core mandate,” he said.
Responding, Dr. Oyetola expressed appreciation to the alumni association for the recognition and support, describing the commendation as an encouragement to sustain ongoing reforms across the marine and blue economy sector.