WMUAAN Holds Innugural Dinner ... Innugurates Executive

...Plans Maiden Annual Maritime and Blue Economy Conference

The World Maritime University Allumni Association of Nigeria (WMUAAN) last Tuesday in Lagos held an Innugural dinner to honour past and recent efforts  graduates of the prestigious World Maritime University, Maimo, Sweden to float the association pand to welcome the 2023 set who has just returned after their program at the school.

The occasion, which was also used to innugurates members of the executive which was elected last year in an election which was described as a credible election by the president was attended by past graduates of the University, some of whom have retired from the services of the various government agencies that sponsored their training and representatives from the Nigerian Navy, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Abuja MoU and NIIT and a host of others.

In his welcome address, the President, of the Allumni,  Mr Lawrence Chukwu stated that the association was established to be a platform for collaboration, sharing best practices and helping to build formidable maritime capability in Nigeria. he also stated that the Chapter will serve as an advocacy body in supporting the Federal Government’s quest to diversify the economy through the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, he called on member to reflect on the immense challenges and opportunities towards the development of the maritime industry in Nigeria.

 He outlines strategic areas of focus of the the Allumni to include;  Lifelong learning; promoting maritime awareness and contributing to the upliftment of the society. 2. Foster Industry Collaboration on sustainable Blue Economy: To offer expertise advice, initiate programmes and activities that generates interest in harnessing Nigeria’s blue economy while offering networking opportunities among members.3. Research and Capacity Building: Organizing workshops and seminars to enhance knowledge and skills development in key areas such as Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management, Maritime Energy management, Maritime Safety and environmental Administration, Green Shipping and Logistics, Maritime Technology and Innovation, amongst others.

For future plans of the association, the president revealed that by next year, 2024, the association plans to host her Maiden Annual Maritime and Blue Economy Conference in collaboration with the World Maritime University, International Maritime Organization (IMO); Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy; All Government Agencies in the maritime sector and critical industry players, including the academia to discuss strategies for harnessing the full potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy. 

In her goodwill message, the Parmanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr, Magdalene Ajani who was represented at the occasion by Hajia Aisha Bisalla expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the executive for their dedication and vision to establish the charpter which according to her represents not only a member of professionals buta community of individuals united by a common educational background and a shared commitment to the growth and development of the Maritime industry in Nigeria.

The WMU, according to the Parmanent Secretary plays a pivotal role in shaping the career of it's graduates, she implore the members of the allumni not to see themselves not just as a beneficiaries but to see themselves as torchbearers whose experience and expertise should serve as a guiding light to others aspiring to pursue a career in the Maritime, and also collectively change the broader Maritime landscape of the Nigeria.

On his part, the President of the World Maritime University, Professor Max Mejia, in his goodwill message through a video recording, expressed his  delight on the hosting of the dinner by the Allumni of the University, he discribed the collaboration between Nigeria and the WMU as a long standing one as the University has graduated more than 200 Nigerians. 

Prof. Max congratulated the chapter especially the Executive for aspiring to use the expertise knowledge they had acquired from the WMU to collectively develop the Nigeria Maritime industry. Saying "You are the current End User leaders and innovators that will ensure that Nigeria's aspiration in the Maritime sphere becomes a reality'.