By Platform Reporters
The Secretary General of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU), Capt Sunday Umoren has charged graduating cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, to see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria whose conduct at sea will shape global perception of the country.
In a goodwill message delivered to the 2026 graduating batch of the Academy, the Secretary General said the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy — represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood — and other senior government officials at the ceremony was a clear signal that the nation values the maritime profession.
The event, which had in attendance the Chairman of the Academy’s Board, the Rector, faculty, proud parents, and distinguished guests, celebrated the cadets who have completed their rigorous training to join the global maritime workforce.
“You are entering a sector that moves the bulk of the world’s trade, protects fragile marine environments, and depends on skilled, disciplined people to keep ships, ports, and seafarers safe,” the Abuja MoU scribe stated.
He however issued a strong caution on national image, saying:
“You are ambassadors of this great country. For other continents, people are judged by their acts, but sadly for us, the whole nation will be judged by your singular acts especially negative acts.”
The Secretary General urged the cadets to uphold the core principles of safety, integrity and respect for all seafarers, including those who may one day serve under them.
In a personal letter to the cadets, which he described as “not a Dear John letter but a love letter with the best wishes and positive hope,” the maritime administrator traced the resilience of the graduands — from primary school through secondary school to the Academy — noting that they have overcome hurdles, shed tears, and broken glass and steel ceilings to get to this milestone.
“My dear graduands, you have made it, so please give yourselves a round of applause,” he said, adding that they are now being released into the world as men and women fully equipped for the maritime industry and beyond.
Speaking frankly on the challenges ahead, he recalled the experience of a friend whose application for sea-time berth was torn and thrown at him, warning that the outside world is “demanding, unforgiving, unpredictable and competitive.”
He advised the cadets not to despair over the scarcity of training berths, but to knock on many doors and cast their bread upon the waters.
“Do not give up. Knock on many doors, write and send out as many applications as you can. As the Good Book says, cast your bread upon the waters, for you do not know which will bring returns,” he counselled.
He further urged the graduands to explore the numerous post-cadetship career paths mapped out in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s maritime clusters document, and to embrace volunteering as a stepping stone while searching for sea-time.
According to him, volunteering with maritime NGOs, port community projects, sea scouting programmes, shipping companies and maritime academies exposes cadets to real operational environments, safety culture, teamwork and discipline of life at sea.
“Volunteering builds relationships with officers, crewing managers and fellow trainees, and these often lead to placement referrals. It signals reliability, willingness to learn and a spirit of service — qualities that training officers value,” he added.
He concluded with prayers for the cadets to become Masters and Chief Engineers, to find wisdom to navigate life’s journey and strength to overcome every challenge and reach the shores of their dreams.
The Maritime Academy of Nigeria remains the nation’s premier maritime training institution responsible for producing middle-level manpower for the shipping and maritime industry.
