My attention has been drawn to a news publication credited to my name which was published in Page 6 of Shipping Position Daily newspaper on Monday, June 3, 2024, with the caption, “THE FIRST SET OF NSDP CADETS THAT NIMASA TRAINED WERE MOSTLY MILITANTS”. To put the records straight on the said publication, I wish to state as follows:
1. That the story is a misplaced publication reason being that I was quoted out of context. It is important to situate the news publication in the context of the media interview I granted to a correspondent of Shipping Position Daily in April of 2023 when I was newly elected as President of the Alumni Association of Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT).
The purpose of the interview was to talk about my vision and programmes for FCFMT as a new President of its Alumni Association. And in the sidelines, the interviewer also asked about my opinion on the NSDP programme which in my response I highlighted the urgent need for the then leadership of NIMASA to provide job for the cadets trained by various maritime institutions and the NSDP in order to reduce the high rate of terrorism and piracy at sea. Because those guys were vunerable to join any form of social vices. Hence the context and purpose of the interview was not intended to cast aspersion on the NIMASA sponsored NSDP initiative or its beneficiaries as the purported report portrayed.
2. The publisher of Shipping Position Daily seems to be fighting a personal battle against the current NIMASA leadership for obvious selfish reasons and looking for a news angle to weaponise in his fight. Otherwise, how does he explain the rationale behind resurrecting and reusing a media interview granted to his reporter over a year ago which has already been published then.
This is a clear pointer that there’s more to this publication than what he’s telling us. Hence, I take exception to this publication and what it portrays as well as the ulterior motive the publisher aims to achieve with this misplaced and stale news story.
3. In view of this, I wish to rebut, discredit, and distance myself from whatever agenda the publisher is set to achieve with this misplaced publication. I therefore urge the general public, especially maritime stakeholders to disregard the publication which was meant to damage my reputation and pitch me against the new leadership of NIMASA having quoted me out of context.
I hope the publisher retraces his steps and uses his news publications for positive impacts rather than selfish reasons and fighting perceived enemies.
I will not hesitate to make further statement or seek legal redress if the need arises.
Signed:
Capt Rotimi William Ogunsakin
President, FCFMT Alumni Association.
