The federal government has appointed Kevin Okonna as the acting rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron in Akwa Ibom.

The appointment takes immediate effect following the resignation of the former rector, Duja Effedua, from the academy.

This was announced in a statement on Monday. The appointment was conveyed in a letter by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

The minister urged Mr Okonna to bring his extensive wealth of experience in the maritime sector to bear on his new role. It added that with the appointment of the acting rector, the academy would continue to contribute effectively to the realisation of the ministry’s vision and the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu.

“Okonna is a distinguished maritime scholar with about three decades of dedicated service to the academy. He holds impressive educational and professional credentials from recognised national and international institutions, including World Maritime University, Malmo, Sweden.

“Having risen through the ranks, he has served the academy in various capacities. 

These include being the pioneer head of the Maritime Safety Department, the pioneer director of the defunct MAN consultancy services, and the pioneer director of the Strategy and Research and Development Directorate. 

Also, as a distinguished member of the Nautical Institute (NI), UK, and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT),” said the statement.

The statement noted that Mr Okonna had contributed immensely to the development of the academy.

(NAN)