Chairman Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Ahmed Rufai Yerima has counselled Nigerian cadets in overseas tertiary institutions to be of good conduct so as not soil their names or Nigeria during their sojourn in a foreign land.
Yerima who was the former governor of Zamfara State enjoined the cadets to be true ambassadors of Nigeria and commit their time to the academic endeavour for which they are sent to Romania.
The legislator stated this while addressing Nigerian students under the auspices of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) in Universitatea Maritime Din Constanta (the Maritime University Constanta) Romania.
The former governor told the cadets not to forget that many Nigerians are looking for the same opportunity which they are privileged to have so they should make the best use of it.
The leader of NSDP students in Romania, Mukoro expressed appreciation to the National Assembly delegation and the Management of NIMASA for the visit. He said this is the first time such high level delegation will be visiting them since the commencement of the programme five years ago and promised that Nigerian students will continue to be of good conduct and will come out with excellent grades in their different fields of study.
Also speaking to the students, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr, Dakuku Peterside disclosed that the Seaman Discharge book used by seafarers are ready and that no Nigerian seafarer or cadet will be denied the opportunity of going on board vessels on account of not possessing the document.
The NIMASA helmsman noted that the students training cycle will be incomplete without sea time berth and on board training hence the priority attention given to the production of the discharge book.
He also
charged the students to take their studies seriously as the country is investing heavily in their training with the hope that they will fill the gap of dearth of maritime professionals in the country, become employable, as well as earn foreign exchange for Nigeria.
He assured the student that NIMASA will do all that is required to ensure they get the best training that will give them a competitive edge in the global maritime industry.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration Hon Mohamed Umaru Bago, enjoined the students to make the necessary sacrifice today to secure their future and that of their families.
“At your time of strength and youth, do more than you are paid for today so that you can be paid more than you work for tomorrow”, Bago said.
He said the only way the cadets can appreciate the sacrifices the country is making on their behalf is for them to come out with excellent grades.
