By EDET OKPO
For those who have followed the developmental strides in the country’s foremost maritime academy, the Oron, Akwa Ibom state-based, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) since the past one year, the current development is to be expected. Indeed, many would say the developmental strides being enjoyed today started when former Registrar, Dr Mkpandiok Ante Mpandiok, took over as acting Rector.
Indeed, only those who may not have known him too well may have doubted his capability to navigate through the waves and steer the academy’s struggling ship safely to the desired shore. But, close observers of Dr. Mkpandiok’s stainless record of service, like his subordinates and superiors within and outside the academy, saw no reason whatsoever to entertain any fear over the challenges, for a man they had known over the years and could always count on to deliver, when it really matters.
Dr. Mkpandiok set the ball rolling at the school with a vision and infectious enthusiasm that instantly altered entrenched traditions, psychology and stereotypes. It is a testimony to what he had achieved that wherever the story of the current transformation in MAN is being told, instant and justifiable reference is made to what many people consider as the cardinal focus of the Acting Rector. These include – Cadets/Staff Development; Infrastructural Renaissance and Sustainable Peace and Harmony in the Academy.
During an event in the Academy, Dr. Mkpandiok had remarked: “I have been around long enough to personally know and feel the pains of cadets and staff of the academy. With due recognition and appreciation for achievements by previous administrations, there can be no pretentious that the vision and dreams of the founding fathers of this great citadel of learning have been stunted and therefore must be revived holistically as a tribute to the past and as a worthy legacy for posterity. Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, must become a global competitor in all ramifications. This can only be done with effective and efficient leadership”.
Ever since then, this signature tune has remained the mantra that had driven him to landmark achievements that have defied time and commonplace excuses. Dr. Mkpandiokhas brought fresh wind of change that can neither be denied nor resisted. The changes are so self-evident and all-embracing that they have touched all facets of the academy’s contemporary existence as testified to by the cadets, the staff and host communities, who feel he still has a lot to offer the academy.
The Acting Rector focused on four major areas: academic development and transformation, staff training and retraining, infrastructural development and creating harmonious relationship with the host community.
Apart from the persistent complaints of poor welfare, general low morale and low self-esteem, which in one way or the other must have manifested in academic performance, cadets had lived in constant fear of their professional competency and prospects in the highly competitive global maritime labour market. But. the institution developed a pragmatic blueprint that ensured that basic training instruments/machines were available for qualified cadets.
In the 40-year history of the academy, it was the first time that cadets would have the opportunity of practical experience with simulators necessary for breeding professionals in the industry.
The Academy now boasts of a Full Mission Bridge Simulator equipped with contemporary sophisticated gadgets, with space already created for a Liguid Handling Simulator. The acting Rector had facilitated an expansion and reinforcement of the academy’s curriculum with the introduction of four new academic programmes- Hydrology and Water Resources Management; Oceanography and Fishery at National Diploma (ND) level; while those vying for Higher National Diploma (HND)and Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) now have the opportunity to pursue their aspirations.
There has also been a review of the academy’s curriculum in line with the requirements of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manilla Amendments to STCW 2010, among other achievements. On staff training, apart from creating a conducive and harmonious work environment, over 50% of staff have enjoyed frequent training/retraining through conference workshops and seminars both within and outside the country. Most remarkable in this aspect may be the sponsorship of the IMO Model Course 6.09 exclusively for lecturers and instructors in the academy.
In infrastructure development, many abandoned projects/structures have either been reactivated or completed for use by those for whom they were meant. It is no exaggeration to say that most of these projects have been abandoned for years while those who were supposed to have caused the needed change were paying lip-service to the reality on ground.
The E-library and Resource Centre Complex which had been abandoned for more than five years is now at completion stage; there is ongoing construction of the staff quarters also abandoned many years ago; construction effort has been extended to the Boat/Ship Building Maintenance Workshop at the jetty; there is on-going construction of permanent Cadets’ Parade Ground; renovation and completion of classroom blocs; rehabilitation of the once deplorable portions of internal roads while dangerous dark spots in the academy have been cleared to ensure environmental safety of cadets and staff, culminating in deliberate enhancement of the aesthetics and general beautification of the physical outlay of the Academy in line with the original Master Plan.
Host Communities now see Dr. Mkpandiok as the fulcrum of diplomacy, trust and full understanding of Federal Government’s policies and programmes for the Academy.
Indeed, one can conclude that Mkpandiok phenomenon has raised the mast and tempo of leadership and administration at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria.
Okpo is an Uyo, Akwa Ibom-based journalists