ODSG AND NIMASA TO REVIVES AIYETORO TECHNICAL COLLEGE

All is set as Ondo State Government and Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ) set to revive the doyen of Maritime Technology feat in the country, Aiyetoro Technical College, Aiyetoro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The Technical College was a spectacular Technology College in the 50s with outstanding feats before and after the country Independence.

This epoch news was the hallmark of the Joint Working Meeting on the Littoral States on the Maritime and Blue Economy Development between Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN represented by his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Director General of NIMASA, Alhaji Bashir Jimoh with NIMASA Management at NIMASA Corporate Headquarters, Apapa-Lagos on Thursday.

Quoting the Deputy Governor, he said, “your resolve to intervene in some key projects in Ondo State, especially the Technical College, Aiyetoro in Ilaje LG in Ondo State as well as the ocean surge support, granting scholarships Awards to Ondo State Indigenes are Laudable indeed and we appreciate NIMASA as a strategic agency of Government” .

To the Deputy Governor, the partnership was meant to strengthen NIMASA’s presence in Ondo State as the next Maritime hub in the Country’s sub region.

Equally too, Aiyedatiwa declared that Ondo State is ready to host the maiden National Blue Economy Summit, an initiative of NIMASA.

This is in line with Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy, given the current paucity of funds occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global economic challenges.

The Summit which is proposed for year 2022 would further stimulate new thinking and promote NIMASA’s agenda as it relates to the Littoral States in the Country.

“Ondo State will be ready to be the host of the maiden National Blue Economy Summit proposed for 2022 and any other events that will further stimulate new thinking and promote the Agency agenda as it relates to the Littoral States” , declared Aiyedatiwa.

While commending NIMASA leadership for harnessing the country ocean resources to serve as an alternative revenue sources, the Deputy Governor thanked the Agency for their well thought out Blue Economy strategy in collaboration with the Littoral States.

He said, “it is indeed a welcome development that NIMASA is seeking greater involvement and cooperation with the Littoral States, Ondo State inclusive in the implementation of the Integrated National Security and Waterways ( Deep Blue Economy Initiative )” .

“Your request to set up Committees to work with your Agency in that regard is in the working and we understand the economic and security benefits of the project/initiative” .

While responding, NIMASA’s DG did not mince words when he said Ondo State having probably largest coastal line in the country and that the Agency would love to partner with the State to develop Maritime capacity.

The Director equally assured the delegation that NIMASA would encourage Ondo State to see to the possibility of increasing tourism sector in the State that would drive in investors and promote other Maritime activities in the State.

Other areas visited by the Deputy Governor and his team are, Naval Base, Apapa-Lagos and Regional Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center ( RMRCC ) also in Apapa, Lagos.

Earlier in his speech the Deputy Governor thanked the NIMASA team for hosting the Ondo State team.

Joining the Deputy Governor on the visit are, Ondo State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Hon Donald Ojogo, Press Secretary to the Governor, Office of the Deputy Governor, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, former Ese-Odo LG Chairman, Hon Akinwumi Sowore, former SSA to Ondo State Governor on Riverine and Community Relations, Apostle Felix-Bayo Rawa and others.

Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson,
Press Secretary to the Governor
( Office of the Deputy Governor ).