The Nigerian Merchant Navy has concluded arrangements to establish its Training Directorate and Command at Ossemotor in Oguta L.G.A of Imo State. This was made known penultimate weekend when top Merchant Naval Officers paid an official and familiarization visit to Ossemotor.
Speaking at the epoch-making event, the Commanding Officer in charge of Ports and Docks Zone, Captain Chinyere Tucker, revealed that the choice of Ossemotor as the Training Directorate of Merchant Navy was borne out of the strategic location of the Community and the proposed canalization of the Oguta Lake. She maintained that Nigerian Merchant Navy had taken into cognizance the availability of natural and physical facilities in Ossemotor which, according to her, include the presence of International Maritime University – a pet project of the Imo State Government and ISOPADEC, the presence of Wonder Marine Academy and above all the proximity of Oguta Lake to the Community.
The Training Directorate, according to Captain Tucker, was established in consonance with the International Convention of Standards, Training and Watch- keeping for Sea ferries of 1978 as Amended.
In his remark, the Traditional Ruler of Ossemotor Autonomous Community, Igwe Franklin Okafor, the Otachereoha II of Ossemotor Ancient Kingdom (EJIAMATU), thanked the fleet of Merchant Naval Officers for choosing his Community as the Training Base of Merchant Navy in the Nigeria and pledged the support of his Community to the successful establishment of the Training Depot in his Community by donating an acre of land. Igwe EJIAMATU showed appreciation to God for the various natural and human endowments and promised to ensure that the dreams and plans of his late father, Igwe (Prof.)
Michael Okafor come to manifestation. He maintained that with the presence of Wonder Marine Academy – a Monotechnic that grooms students in Marine related courses and the International Maritime University, the Merchant Naval Officers will have access to acquire the much needed education both in theory and practice.
Contributing, the Government Liaison Officer (G.L.O) of Ossemotor and Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Prince Dr. Henry Uzor Okafor, expressed optimism that the presence of Merchant Navy in Ossemotor will help to beef up security in Ossemotor and environs and extolled the vital roles of Merchant Navy all over the world in Maritime strategy in Peace as well as in war times. He expressed the preparedness of the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to better the lots of the teeming number of unemployed youths in Imo State and thanked the Traditional Ruler for attracting such a wonderful development in his Community.
Prince Okafor charged the Merchant Naval Marshals and Trainees to be law abiding and to adhere strictly to their ethical Code of Conduct.
It was also gathered that at a luncheon to mark the end of the official visit, Merchant Navy produced the first 200 officers that were enlisted to form the Nigerian Navy and has affiliations with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Safety Management (ISM).
Highlights of the event include a full Military parade and display of acrobatics, jogging and cultural displays by Ossemotor youths and women.
