The premier Nigerian maritime institution established in 1979 for the training of shipboard officers, ratings and shore-based management personnel, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron is finally on the verge of being transformed into a full fledged university..
Originally known as Nautical College, the specialised institution's mandate was later in 1988 expanded to cover the training of all levels and categories of personnel for all facets of the Nigerian maritime industry..
Apart from its early days where graduates of the revered institution went straight from classrooms into vessels of the then Nigerian shipping line for their sea term experience, the story of the institution's graduates have over the years been turned from glory to the now miserable tales year after year..
Graduates of MAN, Oron of the good old days are the industry leaders of today whereas the Academy has for some reasonable length of time now, been groping to find its way to fulfilling its set objectives.. Experts and the authorities have advanced many reasons for the woeful state of the institution in recent times and several recommendations made as to the way forward for the institution but, all have been talk and no walk..
There has equally been heightened calls for the upgrade of the Academy to a full fledged university of recent..
This was for the first time mentioned at the Nigerian parliament by the immediate past HoRs member for Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Robinson Uwak.. The parliamentary push needed for the upgrade of the Academy at that level could unfortunately not be sustained, owing to the replacement of Hon. Uwak by Rt. Hon. Nse Ekpenyong but, methinks government was supposed to be a continuum!.. That however, could be a subject for another day..
Besides its many troubles, the Okerenkoko agitation came to take air out of the Academy's sail to university status but for the ever conscious Distinguished Senator Nelson Effiong, who decided to take the bull by the horns to ensure MAN, Oron was not abandoned to die..
As I write, the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron (FUMSO) sponsored by Our Own Distinguished Senator Nelson Effiong, has been read the third time and passed by the Nigerian Senate against all odds..
In my humble opinion, this is the kind of thing our own legislators are supposed to be doing.. Oro needs no such legislators that would only sign for and collect constituency allowances and other entitlements without requisite capacities to effectively represent us at the parliament..
As 2019 draws closer, Oro must ensure that she does not allow inept and docile fellows chances to occupy the four State House of Assembly Seats and the Oron HoRs Seat whose decisions Oro shall take exclusive of external influences.. We must say goodbye to "ntriboboism" in parliamentary representation in Oro Nation..
We remain grateful to the 8th Senate, Hon. Robinson Uwak who started the struggle and Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Henry Archibong who came to our rescue in the green chambers despite the fact that we have a sitting member there..
Bravo Distinguished Senator Nelson Effiong aka AKANGKANG OKPO..
The title, "AKANGKANG OKPO" fits you Sir!!!
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