Nigeria Maritime Icon, Jolapamo, Adopts M-CAMP

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

The BOT Chairman, Nigerian Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac  Jolapamo has adopted the Maritime Career Mentoring Program (M-CAMP) as his maritime industry legacy project.

Jolapamo made this commitment last Friday in Lagos while speaking as Father of the Day at the 13th edition of the quarterly maritime career mentoring program organized by Platforms Communications. He commended the organisers led by Mr Sylvanus Obasi for his consistency in hosting the program which continues to mentor students in seafaring profession and other fields of maritime career paths since 2016 when the initiative was first birthed.

Speaking further, the foremost indigenous ship owner said his adoption of M-CAMP as a legacy project was informed by his desire to groom a new generation of marine professionals who would prevent indigenous shipping from going extinct in Nigeria, especially in the face of global competition.

According to him, “I see that this program is a succession plan program designed to mentor, guide and groom the young and up-coming marine professionals who would take over from us when we are gone.

“This program initiative is truly dear to my heart because it gives me hope that it’s not all gloom and doom for the industry; that there is a possibility of a future that we the older generation can be proud of.

“If we have a programme like this that brings students and cadets face to face with industry professionals to learn beyond the classrooms, to shift their mindset and make them understand that competence is no just enough, that you also need good character to excell in this profession, then count me in.

“In my years in the industry as a ship owner, I have seen and witnessed situations where seafarers mismanaged vessels and run shipping companies aground, and today, the industry is worse for it.

“So if a mentorship program like this aims to remould and refocus the students to set their priorities right as professionals and correct the mistakes of the past, then I will support it, and I will encourage everyone to support it so that together, we can make it a national project that will benefit us all”, he stated.

Addressing the participating students, the maritime doyen urged them to remain committed to their studies, trainings and professional development;  even as he encouraged them to utilise platforms such as M-CAMP to acquire industry knowledge, build networks and position themselves for future opportunities.

Responding, the Convener of Maritime Career Mentoring Program (M-CAMP) and CEO of Platforms Communications,  Mr Sylvanus Obasi thanked Chief Jolapamo for identifying with the program initiative.

He disclosed that Platforms Communications had always wanted to institute M-CAMP in honour of a prominent maritime personality as legacy project but the persons earlier approached, didn’t show much interest.

Obasi explained that Chief Jolapamo’s adoption of M-CAMP as his legacy project is the much needed lifeline for Platforms Communications to make the project a nation-wide succession plan program with expansion plan beyond Lagos to include other regions with viable maritime activities such as the Eastern ports region.

Recall that M-CAMP is an interactive mentoring platform and capacity building initiative designed to bring maritime students, aspiring and young maritime professionals face to face with industry experts for the purpose of mentorship, transfer of practical industry knowledge and provision of career guidance in a way that guarantees succession plan for the sustainable growth of the industry.

The program debuted in June 2016 when Platforms Communications led some UNILAG law students to Oliseh Agbakoba Legal (OAL) for an interactive mentoring session. Since then, Platforms Communications has successfuly hosted 13th editions of the program for several students in different fields of maritime professions. 

It is expected that the knowledge shared and connections formed during  the program would yield long-term benefits for manpower development as well ndustry growth and sustainability.