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 the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Igoniko Oduma.
A formal ceremony was conducted on Tuesday for the PAP maritime cadets on the institute’s premises to mark their graduation from the rigorous one-month vocational training.
Speaking at the event, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis 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 to 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.”
Otuaro praised the President and the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for their unwavering support for the PAP and the region’s economic growth, development and stability.
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 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.