Dr Paul Adalikwu, Secretary General of the West and Central African Maritime Organization (WCAMO), has revealed the organization's plans to hold an exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria, which would bring major maritime countries to the region to expand sea time and employment opportunities for cadets.
Speaking on the sidelines of a moderated interactive session during the ongoing inaugural visit of the Regional Maritime University delegations of Accra and the Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Technology, Vote D'Ivoire, Adalikwu said MOWCA will invite maritime countries like the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia to share their expertise and open up opportunities for young people from the organization's member countries.
He added that the move would help trainees and new graduates from West and Central Africa secure time at sea and placement in the maritime space global.
Adalikwu recalled that MOWCA was previously awarded training grants worth $1.3 million by the Indonesian government to support the maritime training of 96 beneficiaries, which proved to be successful.
Regarding research, the MOWCA SG said efforts are at an advanced stage to engage a network of funders such as the Lloyds Register Foundation to activate research grants for promotion of productive maritime exchanges leading to regional economic development.
