Lokoja LG Awards Scholarship to Indigenes in Seamen School
AS part of its youth employment Programmes, Lokoja Local Government of Kogi State has indicated its readiness to partner with the International School of Merchant Seamen by giving its indigenes scholarship.
The Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Yabagi Bologi disclosed this when he paid an on-spot-assessment visit to the institution in Lokoja, recently.
Alhaji Bologi who said he was very impressed with the facilities already on ground in the institution, explained that the partnership would go a long way in reducing unemployment and restiveness among the youths.
He stated that he decided to personally visit the institution to get a proper brief of the situation, stressing that with the kind of seriousness shown by the institution, the council would contribute to ensure the effective actualization of its set objectives.
While commending Air-Marshal Salihu Atawodi (rtd) for granting scholarship to 105 Kogi State indigenes into the institution, he urged other well- to-do individuals to emulate him for a better Kogi State.
In his response, the Director of the School, Capt Dickson Ibeyeboukwei expressed delight that people of the state have begun to embrace the institution.
Capt Ibiyeboukwei, who commended the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, for his role in bringing the institution to the state, recalled that the institution was initially designed for only Lagos and Bayelsa but through the effort of the governor, Kogi State became a beneficiary.

School of Merchant Seaman Kicks-off in Lokoja
The Director, International School of Merchant Seaman, Lokoja, Kogi State, Capt. Dickson Ebiye has disclosed that the institution’s objective is to help restive youths to gain professional education that would enable them contribute positively to the society.
Capt. Ebiye who said the institution had commenced academic activities took our reporter round the classes where not less than 280 students were receiving lectures in different fields.
He explained that “most of them would have failed their JAMB examinations but we admitted them here and try to bring them up practically”, adding that secondary school certificate with five credits is required to gain administration into the school.
While noting that the school is set to bridge the gap between graduates of Nigerian Higher Institutions and the labour market, Capt. Ebiye maintained that the practical aspects of their courses which were ignored in Nigerian higher institutions are being explored to the fullest by the school.
“Companies have developed the tradition of training their newly employed staff to impart the practical aspects of their job into them but are now finding a way to safe cost by turning to professionally qualified applicants who can be deployed to the field directly” he emphasised.
He disclosed that the equipments procured for training are adequate and are of the highest standard.
Courses being offered by the school are, Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Underwater Engineering, Marine Science, Computer Science, Nautical Science, Bilingual Secretary and Port Management.