Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX
Group, Dr.Taiwo Afolabi has implored the federal government to review
the country’s educational curriculum to incorporate the teaching of
maritime-related subjects at the secondary school level.
Afolabi, who was the Special Guest of
Honour at the annual Shipping Career Summit held at the Igbobi College,
Yaba, Lagos said this is necessary in order to cultivate the interest of
the students about the industry at an early stage.
He was represented at the occasion by Mr. Oliver Omajuwa, General Manager, SIFAX Off Dock Limited.
He said: “There are immense economic
opportunities in the maritime sector. In view of the dwindling revenue
from the oil sector, government needs to take the maritime sector more
seriously. We need to start generating interest about the industry among
the next generation by introducing subjects around the industry in
secondary schools. Government needs to update secondary school
curriculum to take care of this. We should initiate a catch-them-young
programme in which students will study maritime in their schools and
have the opportunity of visiting various ports for internship and
mentoring.”
He further admonished the students to
set their priorities right by focusing on their studies in order to
achieve academic excellence. He warned that giving room for distractions
would compromise their academic excellence.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr.
Bolaji Akinola, CEO, Ships & Ports Communication Company, said the
programme, which is in its 9th year, has succeeded in bridging the
knowledge gap between the students and the industry, adding that more
secondary school students are now showing greater degree of interest in
the industry.
The summit, an initiative of the Ships
& Ports Communication Company, is a career guidance session aimed at
aiding the understanding of students of the maritime sector as well as
exposing them to career opportunities in the industry.
Over 100 students attended the event
where they engaged in debate, quiz and other interactive activities
relevant to the maritime industry. Various industry experts were also on
hand to counsel and encourage the students
by Eromosele Abiodun /Thisdaylive
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