For Nigeria to tap into the $10 trillion available for World Maritime Trade annually, there is a need for a shift from oil economy to the Marine and Blue Economy sector, assumed to be second revenue earner for the country.
A maritime expert, Ambrose Okehi, said this at the maiden edition of News Emperor Magazine’s Student’s Entrepreneurial Development Seminar, SEDS, with the theme: “Building Capacity and Entrepreneurial Spirit among Nigerian Students to Harness the Potentials of Marine and Blue Economy”, held in Lagos.
He said that the seminar was organised to redirect mindsets of young ones who have been focusing on other areas or seeking for paid employment, so as to begin to create jobs and employment opportunities for themselves and others in the maritime related areas of the marine and blue economy.
Okehi said that there are opportunities available for potential Nigerian entrepreneurs, investors and young graduates in the sector including: boat operation; barge operation; jetty operation; training of freight forwarders; maritime training institution businesses; stevedoring business; sales and supply of maritime equipment; among others.
He pointed out that a country’s concern is for majority of her citizens; especially her youthful population to become useful hands, job creator (employment generators) instead of job seekers after graduation.
He stated, “I expect participants of SEDS to become job creators, employment generators and dependable entrepreneurs instead of job seekers; that from now on, we will have more job providers, more investors, more entrepreneurs and more of those who will help build the blue economy sector of our dream.
“This will also help us to share from and benefit from the $10 trillion world maritime trade and as well compete favourably with other maritime nations of the world.”
