Rector, Director MAN Oron bag Safety Excellence Award

Apparently impressed with the great strides of the Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria MAN, Oron, in the areas of infrastructural renaissance, human capital development, and robust staff and cadets’ welfare packages, among other feats in the Academy, the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Akwa Ibom State branch, has bestowed Safety Excellence Leadership Award on the Rector, while Director, Consultancy services, Dr. Kevin Okonna bagged Safety Motivator Award.

The awards were presented to the awardees, Saturday, September 05,  as part of activities marking the 2015 membership Induction, Merit Award Presentation and N10 million Naira Land/Bus Acquisition Fund Raising ceremony, which took place at Monty Suites, Uyo.

In his address at the occasion, the National President, Institute of Safety professionals of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Ilodiuba, explained that the Institute was chartered under the laws of Nigeria in 1980 with membership comprising Occupation Safety and Health Professionals registered nationally and internationally to practice occupational Safety Management.

According to the Institute National Chairman, the institute was established to develop, promote and encourage safety knowledge and technical know-how, enforce standards and ethics in the practice of safety in Nigeria, plus harnessing and directing the energies of skilled manpower to protect our resources for the benefits of Nigeria and mankind.

Adding that ISPON was constantly researching and reviewing current safety standards, principles, organization and methods in collaboration with similar international bodies in order to provide relevant solutions to prevailing occupational safety, health and environmental challenges in Nigeria, Dr. Ilodiuba intimated that the Institute’s major policy trust was in the nurture and development dynamics, effective and efficient safety services and practice in Nigeria.

On his part, chairman, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State branch, Engr. George Akalonu declared that ISPON was actively involved in the relentless effort to prevent accidents, control hazards and manage risks at various places of work, even as he engaged as safety, health and environmental officers, coordinator, advisers and managers. He advocated the establishment of the Akwa Ibom State Safety Commission to provide oversight safety functions on state government projects and other governmental functions which needed knowledge and skill of a safety professional. 

Responding to the award on behalf of Rector, the Director of Consultancy Service, Man, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, thanked ISPON for finding the Rector fit to receive Safety Excellence Leadership Award, which he observed, was true testimony to the Rector’s unbending resolve to ensure safety of lives and property in the Academy in the past four years of his stewardship.

Dr. Okonna assured ISPON of their avowed commitment not to let ISPON down as the award would further spur the Rector not to relent in ensuring safety of all Academy staff in his second coming.

In his citation, Amb (Dr.) Joshua Okpo was described as a blessing and messiah the Academy was waiting for, as evident in the infrastructural renaissance in the Academy as well as human capital development, thus repositioning, re-engineering and rejuvenating the Academy and putting it on the path of sustainable growth and progress for global competitiveness, having been variously honoured nationally and internationally with numerous awards and laurels.