By James Shodiya -Coastal Polytechnic, an institution situated at Magbon-Ibiye, Badagry Expressway, Lagos has celebrated 3rd convocation ceremony with 422 graduates bagging different degrees.
The graduating students consist of 400 from the Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria and 22 from Coastal Polytechnic.
Speaking on the theme of the the ceremony tagged “Drug and Substance Abuse Among Nigeria Youth: It’s Effect on the Nation’s Economy” Dr Suleiman Tajudeen, a former lecturer at LASU described drug abuse as a use of substance in ways that harm an individual’s physical, mental or social well-being.
Tajudeen traced the history of drug abuse in Nigeria to the era of colonial era.
According to him, the introduction of substance like cannabis and opioids were highly reported during this era.
“Drug abuse is a significant issue among Nigerian youth, with estimates suggesting that millions of young people are involved in substance use.
“The problem is more prevalent in urban areas, with students being particularly vulnerable.
“The problem has significant economic and social implications for Nigerian society,” he said.
On prevention, the don said informing students about the risk of drug abuse through education and awareness.
“Parent involvement through encouragement, supportive family relationship and implementing prevention programme in Schools,” he said.
In the management of the victims of drug abuse, Tajudeen urged people to provide support and guidance.
“Medication-assisted treatment by using medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and encourage participation in groups like narcotics anonymous.
“Provision of structured treatment programme, diverse therapeutic approaches and supporting transition back to life,” he said.
Speaking on the theme of role of Nigerian Navy in Maritime Security,
The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral AA Mustapha, said the increasing economic importance of the oceans and seas, owing to the numerous resources therein, usually informs the drive for protecting the maritime domain by littoral nations.
Mustapha who was represented at the ceremony by Navy Capt. Leye Omotayo, the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos, this is evident in the maritime domain being a key hub for resource exploitation, global trade, marine conservation and coastal tourism amongst other economic opportunities.
“Recognising this, most littoral nations employ the navy to secure their maritime domain and resources against illegal exploitation and sundry crimes for sustainable blue economy.
“Nigeria being littoral nation with a coastline of 420 nm and an extended EEZ of 220 nm, amounting to a total sea area of 92,400 sq nm is no exception.
“This vast maritime space is replete with significant deposits of living and non-living resources and provides a domain for Nigeria’s blue economy sector.
“In recent time, the Federal Government of Nigeria has made significant strides to develop the country’s Blue Economy.
“Key alignments in these regards included the inauguration of the Expanded Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy, the publication of the first-ever National Maritime Strategy (NMS) 2022 and the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“The NMS 2022 provides a strategic framework for applying Blue Economy principles anchored on environmental sustainability, national power, and global security collaboration to drive Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said
Mustapha said that it is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Navy had achieved notable feats in meeting the nation’s blue economy aspirations in recent times.
“For instance, NN maritime security efforts led to the elimination of piracy attacks in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain and the eventual delisting of Nigeria as a piracy-prone country by the International Maritime Bureau in March 2022.
‘Accordingly, saving the country hundreds of billions in revenue from the maritime industry from 2022 till date.
“Also, hundreds of suspects, vessels/barges and trucks have being intercepted, arrested and seized in connection with crude oil theft from 2022 till date.
“In addition, over thousands of illegal refining sites, storage tanks and wooden boats were deactivated and destroyed within this period.
Similarly, NN patrol teams across the spectrums of operations have denied oil thieves millions of litres of petroleum products.
These efforts contributed towards increased crude oil production by 12.6 per cent with corresponding increase in earnings from N29 trillion in 2023 to N50 trillion, in 2024.
“This represents about 80.33 per cent increase. It is pertinent to state that similar upward trend has been sustained till date,” he said.
In his remarks, Prof Alex Okwuashi, the Proprietor of the institution said the Polytechnic was established to provide Science, Arts, Management, Research and Technology-based education to compliment the effort of few Tertiary Institution in Nigeria.
According to him, the institution makes higher education affordable and available to hundreds of Nigerians who could have been denied the opportunity.
“It will also provide students from catchment areas, Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun States with life-like education that will enable them to be self-reliant and useful to the development of their communities and entire Nigeria,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were given to individuals that had contributed to the development of the school.
Also awards of excellence were given to students who performed very well in their examination.
