New Acting Rector for the Maritime Academy of Nigeria: Federal Government of Nigeria appoints Kevin Okunna as Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron Akwa Ibom State.
The appointment effectively recognises Abdulazeez as acting Rector following the recent resignation of the former Rector Duja Effedua, from the campus via a formal letter from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
As an academy member, Okonna has served for three decades, which in return offers him vast maritime experience and academics. He has a robust educational and professional profile in the subject and a successful background in acknowledged institutions on the world stage, including the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden.
Okonna has discharged uncomplaining leadership in diverse path-finding roles throughout his time at the academy. He was the first head of the Maritime Safety Department, founded and was in charge of the MAN consultancy services, and led the Strategy and Research and Development Directorate. He is also a member of the Nautical Institute (NI), UK and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Speaking on the appointment of Okonna, minister Oyetola said that he is optimistic with this appointment, especially, since the prime direction of this academy is to harness experience in the maritime industry, in the achievement of these goals and objectives. The appointment also aligns the ministry with its overall vision and President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ with the academy poised to take a central place in Nigeria’s marine sector.
Maritime Academy of Nigeria has been playing her role as one of the founding fathers of Maritime Education and Training in Nigeria for several years. On assuming the Okonna leadership, the academy needs to enhance its support to the nation’s maritime industry and blue economy initiatives. His appointment is thus typical of an attempt to balance on the one hand the need to consolidate the institutional framework governing ES and on the other hand the need to stimulate development and innovation of maritime education and training.
The change of leadership is coming at the right time as Nigeria is planning on developing the capacity of its maritime industry and consolidating the country’s position in the new world maritime order. Okonna has over the years acquired experiences in the education and administration of maritime learning institutions, and with his vast experience, he is well-placed to steer the academy towards the right direction in its next developmental phase.
