Flowerbudnews
As part of the activities to mark this year’s children’s day celebration, the Ocean Ambassador Foundation, said it organised a career talk for school students, encouraging them to build a career in seafaring.
Mrs Violet Williams, the convener of Ocean Foundation, said that the aim of the programme was to let the students aware that there were jobs in the maritime space.
The programme which was held at the APM Terminal, Apapa, was tagged Children’s Day Blue Talent School To Sea Career Program.
The programme themed Introduction To Maritime Tourism, Boat Making, Arts, Skills, was attended by students from different schools across the state.
“Let the school go beyond the four walls of the classroom.
“The government should also adjust the curriculum of schools because now we have global emerging careers like the marine economy, maritime tourism that has never been taken into relevance in Nigeria,” she said.
She advised the upcoming generation to take up a career in shipping, adding that she believed such people would rewrite the history of the Nigerian maritime sector.
The Country Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke encouraged secondary school students to take an interest in the maritime sector with a view to building rewarding careers in the sector.
Klinke said that the career seminar on the maritime industry was part of the activities marking the 2024 Children’s Day, adding that the industry offers exciting career opportunities for the future generation.
He encouraged the students to embrace hard work and diligence.
Klinke said that career summit was a collaborating effort and contribution in grooming the next generation of maritime professionals “who would run this sector efficiently, ensuring its contribution to the national economy”
Also speaking, the Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, commended the students for visiting the terminal and participating in the career summit.
He said APM Terminals has a high number of female workers despite the fact that the maritime industry has traditionally been dominated.
Knudsen encouraged the students to “be curious, open to opportunities, and not be afraid to try new things
While presenting a paper waste to wealth management to the students, Mrs Achere Obaro, founder, MitiMeth, educated them on how to transform waste to materials useful.
“We turn an invasive aquatic weed into intricately woven pieces that add beauty to your space while creating a source of livelihoods for local communities,” she said.
Another presenter, Mr Amusat Olatunji, took the students on the usefulness of coconut for the body.
The Head of Planning, Research and Statistical Department, LASCODA, said coconut oil which was derived from coconut can be used for several health benefits.
The students were also taken through the process of boat making from the building point to the point where it sails to sea.
School students present at the career talk were Methodist Girls High School, Honeyland School, Igbobi College, Yaba College of Technology, Queens College among others.
Miss Showunmi Anuoluwapo, a student of Queens College, said she was inspired by the papers presented, adding that she now have a better understanding of the maritime industry.
Miss Owoyele Jemima, Honeyland College, thanked the organizers of the programmers for expanding their horizon about the maritime industry.
