By Frank Odinukaeze
Prof. Charles Asenime, the dean, School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), has been inducted a Fellow of the institute in recognition of his immense contribution to the growth of the shipping and allied industries in the country.
Speaking at the investiture held in Apapa area of Lagos, the National President of the Institute, Dr Martins Enebeli said Asenime had built capacity in the shipping industry, saying that his effort had positioned the industry such that experts in the shipping profession could now obtain PhD.
“We don’t know before that we could obtain PhD in shipping from the Nigeria University, but through the relentless effort of Asenime and few others, we can now stand tall and rub shoulder with experts in other professions,” Enebeli said.
The NIS president noted that the institute would continue to recognize those that are contributing to the advancement of shipping profession while urging the professor 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.
He said that the institute would continue to bridge the gap by training and retraining professionals that would service the Nigerian 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,” he said.
Dr Enebeli added 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.
“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 transportation, then you are into shipping and you need to join the Nigeria Institute of Shipping to gain more knowledge; there are many benefits you will also gain as a fellow of the institute,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Asenime said the institute’s fellowship award bestowed on him would spur him to do more; stressing that NIS as an institution had come to stay.
The registrar of the institute, Mr Samson Chima explained that the institute, which was established in 1983 came into existence with the aim of bridging the knowledge gap in the shipping profession.
He noted that NIS is an academic and professional body that train and retrain professionals.
