As special guests of honour, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Federal Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy, Adegbeyega Oyetola, are billed for the convocation and passing out parade ceremony of the Global Maritime Academy (GMA), Ughelli, Delta State.
The graduation/passing out parade, which will be held on February 2 at the GMA’s permanent site along Secretariat Road, Agbowhiame, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state under the chairmanship of Justice J.E. Shakarho (retd), will involve 907 National Diploma graduands from the 2022 and 2023 sets.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Friday at Ughelli, Chairman of the Governing Council of Global Maritime Academics, Professor Christopher Orubu, who was flanked by the Rector of GMA, Dr Mike Egbago, and other members of the Governing Council, said the convocation/passing out parade would be preceded by the 15th-anniversary symposium of the institution at the PTI Conference Centre on January 31.
According to him, the theme of the event is ‘GMA Sailing Towards the Future of the Maritime Industry’ and will be chaired by Chief Obilo Ogbonna, Managing Director of Mercury Rail & Mobility Ltd., among others.
Professor Orubu also disclosed that GMA, which has hitherto been running only ND programmes and shipping its products to other institutions for post-ND programmes, will now commence its Higher National Diploma in the coming academic session.
“I am pleased to address you today about an exciting development in the journey of the Global Maritime Academy.
“As the Chairman, I am thrilled to announce our institution’s intention to launch Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in the coming academic session.
“This decision aligns with our steadfast commitment to providing holistic and advanced education in the maritime industry.
“We recognise the growing demand for skilled professionals in this dynamic sector, and introducing HND programmes is a strategic move to further empower our students with in-depth knowledge and practical expertise.
“Global Maritime Academy has consistently been a beacon of excellence in maritime education, and the introduction of HND programmes is a natural progression.
“Our goal is to not only meet the evolving needs of the industry but to also ensure that our graduates remain at the forefront of advancements, contributing significantly to the maritime landscape.
“In the coming months, we will be working diligently to structure and implement these programmes, collaborating with industry experts and educational authorities to ensure the highest standards.
“Our aim is to provide students with a seamless transition from their foundational studies to more specialised and advanced learning, ultimately preparing them for successful careers in the maritime field.
“I am confident that this initiative will not only enhance the academic offerings of the Global Maritime Academy but will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future leaders of the maritime industry.
“Your continued support is invaluable as we embark on this exciting journey,” he noted.
He further disclosed that GMA, which was established in 2009, received official recognition and approval from the Delta State government in 2010 and the Federal Government through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2012.
He said the institution was also approved by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2018 with the vision and mission to be one of the leading maritime academies in Africa and to develop world-class human resources and capabilities in the maritime industry to meet global needs.
Sited on a 41-acre campus encompassing 165,921.113 square metres and featuring cutting-edge facilities like a computer laboratory and an engineering workshop, Professor Orubu said GMA offers a diverse range of NBTE courses and other ND, National Innovation Diploma, and NIMASA courses, among others.
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