… urges government on enhanced maritime training institution
Worried by the continued denial of Nigerian’s seafarers certificate of competency by certain flag states, the President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has called on the federal government to gear up towards ensuring the acceptability of Nigerian seafarers in global space.
He also called on the government to put machinery on ground to strengthen the nation’s maritime training institution to global standards.
Adeyanju made these calls in his recent goodwill message to Nigerian seafarers in commemoration of the 2022 Seafarers Day noting that seafaring and seafarers have indeed come a long way through the decades, quietly but definitely growing in leaps and bounds to its present prestigious posture and garnering recognition and accolades.
Also noting that without seafarers there will be no maritime operation, he said this year’s theme, ‘your voyage, then and now, share your journey’ “boldly demands that we acknowledge their unique identity and contributions to world order.”
In his words: “We find it expedient at this time to announce our worry at the continued denial of our certificate of competency by certain flag states which limits the application of our seafaring competency in other clime.
“We therefore posit that government and its responsible agency pull up to gear up our acceptance in the global space.
“We also seize this opportunity to call on government to put machinery on ground to strengthen our maritime training institution to bring them to par with global standards.
“I on behalf of the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria do hereby felicitate with seafarers in Nigeria and globally.
“We do this with a deep understanding of the extraordinary services seafarers provide to keep the world economy running smoothly.
“So today we celebrate this fine gentlemen and ladies who at risk of their lives daily ply their trade to ensure that the rest of us can access the basics of living.
“Indeed, MWUN acknowledges that without seafarers there will be no maritime operation, which is why they will continue to have our support as critical factors in our consideration and workings.
“Of course all is not rosy yet as we continue to face obstacles which threaten to impair the seafarers’ capacity to reach its potential.
“As we salute seafarers today, we raise our voice in adoration and appreciation. Ahoy seafarers, your voyage has not been in vain.”