By Sylvanus OBASI
The Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) recently played host to students officers of the Nigerian Navy who came for a training visit aimed at broadening the officers’ knowledge on blue economy and ocean governance.
Platform Reporters gathered that the event which held at NIOMR headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos was part of an ongoing synergy between the Institute and the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking to newsmen after the event, the Executive Director, Nigerian Institute For Oceanography and Marine Research, Prof Abiodun Sule said the collaboration and the training was necessary for the Navy to understand the need to promote eco-friendly practices that safeguard Nigerian ocean economy while carrying out their sea operations.
Picture, showing a general view of all participants during the visit while the E.D Research, Dr Patcy Obatola addresses the gathering.
According him, “We have this partnership with the Nigerian Navy, and we have occasional visits from them. This year, we have received three set of officers from the Nigerian Navy. The last one was their hydrographers. And we went through what we can do together”.
“This group that came, they are the officers for what we call navigation and direction. I took time to tutor them on what we term the Bible we use at sea, which is the MARPOL 73/78 and also SOLAS 74 as amended. And in particular, I mentioned Annex 1-6 which is about air pollution. So the Navy officers have a lot to do to support us in ensuring sustainable use of our ocean resources”.
Prof Sule addressing the naval student officers during the visit
Speaking further, the NIOMR Chief Executive also thanked the federal government for helping the Institute with funds to ensure adequate mantenance of it’s research vessel called R.V BAYAGBONA which he said is the only research vessel in West African region.
Highlight of the training visit was the sea-tour of Lagos habour by the student naval officers using NIOMR research vessel.
A section of the naval student officers during the training visit
Platform Reporters observed that the collaboration between NIOMR and the Nigerian Navy is expected to strengthen institutional framework and further inter-agency synergy.
