Ninety-eight maritime delegates sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme for a refresher course in specialised maritime-related skills at the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Otomewo, Delta State, have completed their training.
This was disclosed on Wednesday by Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro.
A formal ceremony was conducted on Tuesday for the PAP maritime cadets at the institute’s premises to mark their graduation from the one-month vocational training.
Speaking at the event, Otuaro explained that their deployment for the exercise was part of the PAP’s manpower and human resources development schemes for the Niger Delta.
Otuaro described the training as strategic, stressing that it was aimed at equipping the maritime cadets with the requisite skills for the country’s maritime industry that was anchored on President Bola Tinubu’s policy on the blue economy.
He said, “I am very delighted that you have successfully completed your boot camp and refresher course. It is another significant milestone that underscores the commitment of the PAP under my leadership towards developing the requisite manpower and human capital for the Niger Delta.
“Manpower and human resources development are critical to the economic growth and development of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.
“More importantly, your training in specialised maritime-related skills is very strategic. It aligns with the policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the blue economy to harness the massive opportunities in the nation’s maritime industry for national development.”
Continuing, Otuaro praised the President and the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for their unwavering support for the PAP and the region’s economic growth, development and stability.
He said that his administration would strive to train more Niger Delta people in specialised vocational skills in diverse trade areas, formal education and post-training empowerment under the programme’s reintegration template to foster sustainable peace in the region.
The PAP boss also commended the 98 cadets for demonstrating high discipline throughout the duration of their training, urging them to show professionalism and competence when players in the maritime industry engage in their services.
Reacting, the Managing Director of Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Akpos Epidei, appreciated Otuaro for believing in the body’s ability to carry out the training and made recommendations for higher certification programmes for the maritime cadets in the near future.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, who was represented by one of his aides, Amafini Akemeotubo, also applauded Otuaro for refocusing the programme for better service delivery to the Niger Delta people.
A valedictorian, Ebi Jackson, thanked Otuaro for the boot camp and refresher course, adding that they benefited greatly from the exercise.
