The Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Akutah Pius, MON, has said that transportation and logistics are very important in the maritime industry, especially for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council who are facilitating the establishing of inland dry ports in the country.
Barr. Akutah stated this while speaking with the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Transportation Daura, Katsina State, Honorable Professor Umar Adam Katsayal, MMI, recently in Benue State.
The ES/CEO of the Council, pointed out that land transportation is one key area where the nation needs to build capacity as it bids to optimize intermodal transport system, as such sees the Federal University of Transportation as a Centre for training of practitioners in the maritime sector.
In his response, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Transportation, said that no nation can do without transport and logistics if it desires transformation.
He stressed that the Transportation University has developed the requisite curriculum to train practitioners in the transport sector.
The Vice Chancellor informed that 14 different training areas which address the core issues under logistics and transportation are ongoing.
“Some of them are; Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Transportation Management, Maritime Engineering, Aviation Engineering, among others.
In line with the Blue Economy, he said they have a dedicated program known as Maritime Economics. “We are building the human capacity so that all the infrastructural developments in the sector can be optimized to the fullest,” Katsayal pointed out.
When the NSC boss asked if the Transport University also has Executive training programs for the Blue Economy Minister and Chief Executives of agencies under the Ministry, the Vice Chancellor replied in affirmative.
“You have scratched a subject that interests me particularly. We also have executive programs for Chief Executives and Ministers. You don’t need to come to Daura for such trainings because they could be online. You can stay in the comfort of your office between 7am and 8am for trainings before work commences for the day. It could also be done on the weekends.”
“These trainings could be completed within 3 or 4 months. This strategy is being utilized effectively around the world for executives. There is no need to keep teaching executives for so long because they have degrees from various fields and are experts in their respective fields. Executive trainings can be achieved using micro credentials. However, we also hope that over time, chief executives can create time to become instructors and trainers despite their busy schedule,” the Vice Chancellor said.
