Maritime Agencies
STCW : MAN, Oron, Trains Maritime University Students, Showcases Dividends of Reforms
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
As students of Maritime University of Nigeria (MUN), Okerenkoko, Delta State, February 20, successfully completed their Standard of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) compliant training programme at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, (MAN),Oron, it was another opportunity for the nautical training college to showcase a success story and huge dividends recent reforms and transformation are attracting.
Last year, MUN and the MAN, Oron, struck a technical pact whereby the Academy is to conduct mandatory short courses for her students following evidences that the nautical college has now attained an acceptable capacity level of providing global standards wide- ranging training programmes to cadets and students of maritime training institutions.
The attainment of this capacity level of providing wide-range training to stakeholders has been bringing accolades to an institution that had little or no opportunity to do same years back. Prominent maritime practitioner and ship owner told Falcon Watch Online in Lagos that it is a good development. It now places Nigeria in the league of notable maritime nations that parade international recognition.
The ship owner who prefers anonymity expressed optimism that if MAN continues in this manner, before long, Nigerian authorities would see the need to send trainees under the Nigerian Seafarers’ Development Programme (NSDP) to Oron, if anything, to conserve scarce foreign exchange being spent to train them abroad.
A recent visit to the school during the 2022 Cadets’ Graduation Ceremony revealed that going by the number of critical training facilities in place, MAN, Oron, has attained the status of a specialized cadets’ training institution that can compare favorably with her counterparts anywhere on the globe. Is it in terms of training curricula, physical learning ambience or environmentally-friendly atmosphere never experienced many years back?
In fact, MAN, Oron has been acclaimed by many international maritime training practitioners as one of Africa’s fastest growing training institution and the most fitted in terms of modern training facilities for cadets and trainees in West and Central Africa.
Industry observers can confirm that the Rector of the Academy, Commodore Duja Emmanuel Effedua (Rtd) has never failed to utilize any opportunity available to acknowledge the massive encouragement and support of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) towards transforming the college into a world-class maritime education and training institution.
Commodore Effedua restated this appreciation recently while presenting certificates to the first batch of trainees in the Engine Room Simulator (Operational Level) Course who successfully completed their training at the Academy.
He explained that the journey to bring the Academy at par with her counterparts in the global maritime arena began in 2018 with the commencement of the procurement and installation of top-notch training facilities in the institution. He noted with delight that the Ministry has been solidly behind his administration’s quest to ensure full realization of the transformation agenda as specified in the recommendations of the 2017 Interim Management Committee to restructure and reposition MAN in line with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards.
The Rector said that with the continued support, the Academy would sustain the current status attained as one of the very best Maritime Education and Training Institutions in the world. It would even raise the bar higher, he added.
During his interaction with the first batch of trainees in the Radar Navigation, Radar-Plotting and Use of ARPA (RNRPA), Commodore Effedua was happy that with the approval of NIMASA, the school has commenced Simulator-based Courses using the most modern Simulators in the world. He reminded the participants that the Academy now offers twelve simulator-based courses for the training and professional development of seafarers.
In view of very considerate fees being charged to train at Oron, the Rector explained, significant foreign exchange now stands to be saved since the simulator-based courses offered abroad can now be accessed at the Academy.
“Today is yet another memorable day for us at the Academy because we have graduated the first set of students from our newly- developed simulator- based courses. I am highly appreciative of the roles played by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the management of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency towards the realization of this Academy’s aspirations.
“This feat, though not an easy one, would not have been achieved without their unflinching support”, he added.
Following the acquisition of high quality Simulators, MAN now offers courses in Ship Simulator & Bridge Teamwork (SSBT); Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and General Operators Certificate (GOC) Course. Others are Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting and Use of ARPA (RNRPA).
Others include Liquid Cargo & Ballast Handling Simulator (LCBHS); Bridge Watch-Keeping Preparatory Course (BWPC); Engine Room Simulator (Operational Level) Course (ERSOL); Engine Room Simulator (Management Level) Course (ERSML); High Voltage Course (HV); Auxiliary Engine Familiarization Course (AEFC); Boiler Familiarization Course (BFC) and Engine Room Watchkeeping Preparatory Course (ERWPC) and STCW.
In terms of quality, MAN’s simulators are deliberately customized to meet the current training needs of cadets in Nigeria’s maritime industry. The Multi-functional Classroom Simulator has eight Simulators embedded in one with the capacity to hold different Courses at different times for Engine and Deck students. It can accommodate up to 30 trainees at a time.
With the Full Mission Engine and Full Mission Deck Simulators, real life Engine Room and Deck situations can be simulated to give trainees real at-sea-life experience. While the Full Mission Deck Simulator can simulate any type of vessel including Warship, Tanker vessels- LNG, LPG Oil Tankers, the Full Mission Engine can simulate the movement of various engine parts and everything that goes on in a real engine room situation including engine room watch keeping, monitoring of lubrication oil and movement of engine parts.
Also available at the MAN is the Ocular Vision Simulator which, if worn on the head, launches the trainee into a virtual engine room where he can operate valves and switch machineries within the engine of a ship on- and- off.
Established in 1977 as Nigerian Nautical College, MAN was originally conceived to train shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel.
With the promulgation of Decree No 16 in 1988, the school was upgraded with a statutory mandate to train different categories of personnel required for the effective and efficient operation of specialized maritime industry requirements.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Captain Warredi Enisuoh, Executive Director, Operations and Technical at the Tantita Security Services Ltd, will deliver the keynote speech at the 10th Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) billed for June 10, 2026. Venue is the Conference Hall of the Mission To Seafarers, 29 Marine Road, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
As stated in a release, Enisuoh will speak on the lead paper entitled, “The Youth and the Future of Nigerian Maritime Sector: Understanding How Nations Develop Their Maritime Industry.”
Organised by Platforms Communications annually, the arrowhead, Sylvanus Obasi, says the AMSAY Conference has over the past decade evolved into a critical platform for youth advocacy, mentorship and stakeholders’-students engagement to discuss and proffer solutions to contemporary issues affecting the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, having consistently driven conversations around industry reforms, capacity growth, innovation and sustainable development.
With over two decades of global experience spanning maritime operations, aviation, and national security, Captain Enisuoh is widely regarded as a leading authority in maritime safety, shipping development, and infrastructure protection in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
He holds a Master Mariner Class 1 Unlimited Foreign Going License, an Aircraft Pilot’s License, and a Diploma in Aviation. His academic journey includes training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; Arab Maritime Transport Academy, Egypt; Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania; Tasmanian Aviation College; and the Swiss Air Training Centre in Zurich.
Over the years, he has held strategic roles across continents, including eight years with Pacific International Lines in Singapore and six years with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). He also served as a lecturer, instructor, course developer, and examiner at the Australian Maritime College.
In Nigeria, he contributed significantly to sectoral development during his tenure at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), where he served as Director of Maritime Safety and Director of Shipping Development.
Capt Warredi”s Keynote Speech will also feature a high-level panel discussion moderated by Captain Dr. Fola Ojutalayo, Marine Surveyor and Senior Lecturer at the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
Panelists are drawn from diverse segments of the maritime industry, including regulators, shipowners, local content experts, technical professionals, legal practitioners, operators, and the academia as representatives from NIMASA, Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, and the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, are expected to discuss the lead paper .
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command has called for deeper collaboration with maritime journalists as part of efforts to strengthen security within Nigeria’s port environment and support the growth of the nation’s maritime economy.
Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, made the call on Tuesday while receiving the newly elected executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
The visit, led by MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, provided an opportunity for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Speaking during the engagement, Onigbinde commended the Command for its efforts in safeguarding the nation’s ports and other critical maritime assets, noting that security remains a key pillar for sustainable trade and economic development.
He pledged MARAN’s continued support through responsible journalism, accurate reporting, and constructive engagement with stakeholders in the maritime sector.
According to him, the media has a crucial role to play in creating public awareness, promoting transparency, and highlighting issues that impact the efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
In her remarks, CP Agbaminoja congratulated the newly elected MARAN leadership and acknowledged the association’s longstanding contribution to the dissemination of credible information on developments within the maritime industry.
She emphasized that stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the media would enhance public trust, improve security consciousness, and contribute to national economic growth.
The Commissioner noted that effective communication and timely information sharing are essential in addressing security challenges within the port ecosystem, stressing that the media remains a strategic partner in achieving those objectives.
She further assured the association of the Command’s readiness to maintain open channels of communication and foster productive partnerships aimed at advancing port security, maritime safety, and trade facilitation.
Nigeria’s ports serve as critical gateways for international trade and revenue generation, making security within the maritime sector a matter of national economic importance. Stakeholders have consistently advocated greater collaboration among security agencies, regulators, operators, and the media to strengthen surveillance, curb criminal activities, and improve operational efficiency.
The meeting concluded with both the Ports Authority Police Command and MARAN reaffirming their commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation in support of a safer and more efficient maritime industry.
By Izuchukwu Ozoemena
Nigeria’s pioneer maritime journalists’ body, the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) will inaugurate her brand new Executive Council on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos.
The high-profile event which is planned to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime, shipping, logistics, security, and media sectors will also feature discussions on strengthening ethical standards in maritime journalism.
The theme of the inauguration is “Upholding Ethical Journalism for Maritime Development.”
The Chairman of the occasion is Emmanuel Maiguwa Gankino, President, Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), while the keynote address will be delivered by Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, a leading public relations and event management expert.
Special Guests of Honour expected at the event include the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Pius Akutah Ukeyima; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. Also expected are chief executives of maritime agencies, captains of industry, leaders of maritime associations, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and other critical stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, MARAN President, Comrade. Oluyinka Onigbinde, described the event as a defining moment in the association’s journey towards deepening professionalism, credibility, and responsible maritime reportage.
The new executive council, he stated, will focus on repositioning MARAN as a stronger voice within the maritime sector through capacity building, constructive engagement, and adherence to ethical journalism standards.
He noted that the theme of the event underscores the indispensable role of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime industry.
“The maritime industry is central to Nigeria’s economic growth, and ethical journalism remains a vital instrument for ensuring that developments within the sector are accurately reported and constructively engaged,” he added.
Onigbinde further called on government agencies, industry operators, and media practitioners to continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime journalism and advancing the nation’s blue economy aspirations.
Capt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.
Ports Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
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NIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Tantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
ANLCA Harps on Responsible Reportage, Pledges Support for New MARAN Exco,
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NPA Mourns her Ace Cameraman, Paul Erakhifu, alias “Texas”.
MARAN Elects Yinka Onigbinde As New President.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoTantita Donates 15 Gun Boats to Nigerian Army, Navy.
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Maritime Agencies3 weeks agoREPORTER’S DIARY: How Lagos State Task Force Made Me ‘Igbobi Landlord’ For Filming Operatives Extorting Suspected ‘Okada’ Operators In Apapa*
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoCHANGE OF BATON at PTML Customs, Miko Replaces Joe Anani.
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Maritime Agencies2 weeks agoComptroller Anani Succeeds ACG Onyeka as Tincan Customs CAC, Pledges to Build on Lofty Achievements.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNIMASA Urges Ethical Journalism, Stronger Media Partnership to Drive Blue Economy Growth. …As MARAN condoles agency over staff’s Death.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoPorts Police Seek Stronger Media Collaboration to Boost Maritime Security.
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Maritime Agencies1 week agoNew MARAN Leadership Set for Inauguration, June 23.
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Maritime Agencies5 days agoCapt Warredi Enisuoh Set To Deliver Keynote Speech At 10th AMSAY Conference.