BENJAMIN OMOIKE
The Nigeria Institute of Shipping (NIS), on Thursday, inducted the Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Charles Asenime, as a fellow of the institute in recognition of his immense contribution to the advancement of the shipping and allied industry in the country.
While speaking at the special fellowship investiture for the professor in Apapa, the National President of the Institute, Dr. Martins Enebeli, said Professor Asenime had built capacity in the shipping industry, stressing that his effort had positioned the industry such that experts in the shipping profession could now obtain a PhD degree.
“We didn’t know before that we could obtain PhD in shipping from Nigeria University, but through the relentless effort of Professor Asenime and few others, we can now stand tall and rub shoulder with experts in other professions” Dr. Enebeli said.
The NIS president noted that the institute will continue to recognise those that are contributing to the advancement of shipping profession while urging Professor Asenime to continue with the good works he’s doing to move the shipping profession forward.
Dr Enebeli however decried the perceived shortage of trained professionals in the shipping industry, stressing that the institute will continue to bridge the gap by training and retraining professionals that will service the Nigeria and the African shipping sector.
“We are looking forward to a time when we will be exporting experts in shipping to other countries, this is what we are working towards. I therefore call on all practitioners in the shipping profession to get certification in shipping from the institute. You can use our certificate to earn master degree from LASU, after which you can go ahead to obtain PhD. We are developing best modern curriculum in line with the best professional practice all over the world.
Dr. Enebeli restated that shipping is not just about maritime or ship only, but encompassing all modes of transportation, noting that because of the nomenclature, many people restricted shipping to maritime or transportation through ship.
He said: “People think shipping is all about ship or maritime, which is not so. Shipping is encompassing. It is all about any form of transportation. Shipping include Pipeline, Aviation, road and sea transport. Any form of transportation is shipping, but because of the nomenclature, many people misconstrue it. If you are directly or indirectly involved in any practice revolving around transportation, then you are in into shipping and you need to join the Nigeria Institute of Shipping to gain more knowledge; there are many benefit you will also gain as a fellow of the institute,” Enebeli said.
In his acceptance remark, professor Asenime said the institute fellowship award bestowed on him will spur him to do more; pointing that NIS as an institution has come to stay.
The registrar of the institute, Mr. Samson Chima explained that the institute, which was established in 1983 came to into existence with the aim of bridging the knowledge gap in the shipping profession; noting that NIS is an academic and professional body that train and retrain.
