Maritime Interdiction of Terrorism Course organized by the by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in collaboration with the security department of the United States Embassy of  ended in Lagos after three weeks of rigorous training.

Speaking at the passing out parade, lead  Instructor, Mr. Rick Blebins, described the course as intensive and also fun.

The instructor  urged the participants to deploy the knowledge they had imbibed so well during the training in the performance of their duties, noting that such contacts in law enforcement were critical to resolving inter-agency issues whenever such arise. The Course Lead Instructor did not fail to urge the participants to endeavor to train others in the techniques the course had exposed them to.

Blebins, who had previously participated in a similar course in Nigeria, expressed some feeling of sadness that at the conclusion of this particular course he would return to America missing the friends he had made while the course lasted. He admonished participants to always keep in touch through their various contacts, just as he urged his students to seek his counsel whenever the need arises.

In his remarks, the Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. Temisan Omatseye, said that the Agency was  indeed delighted to have been a part of this well-executed and excellently_organized training programme.

Represented by the Acting Director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department, NIMASA, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade,   expressed delight  event is coming at a time when the Agency, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy and a United States Technical Team is almost concluding the installation of equipment required for Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) at this Maritime Rescue Coordination Center.”

The programme he explained is under the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and aimed at enhancing the monitoring of vessels within Nigerian waters for safety, security and commercial purposes.

“It is critical to note that technical and other form of co-operation among maritime nations in a safe and secured environment enhances the potentials of individual countries to achieve their optimum in wealth creation and poverty reduction.

The course participants had started out as strangers, but that at the end of the programme, they had become friends and established a relationship that would last them their respective careers.