Following a three-day creative writing boot camp hosted by the Maritime Writes Project (MWP) at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday, the project coordinator of the MWP, Ezinna Azunna and other stakeholders called on the Federal Government to include maritime studies in the curriculums of primary and secondary schools across the country. Azunna added that this action would help the country become an African marine hub. She said that including the sector heritages and literature in the system was crucial if Nigeria was to realise its ambitions of being a major maritime nation.
Nigeria’s economy and international trade gain significant benefits from the maritime sector. Each and everyone relies on trade, which is an integral aspect of the maritime industry. She believes it’s time to pay more attention to the area of the Nigerian economy as it makes a big contribution. There are over a hundred different professions in this sector, but their objective is youth development. This might be provided by the sector. She reaffirmed that keeping the county’s maritime space would require incorporating it into the school curriculum.
Attention should be given to the industry as it contributes to the economy.
Azunna emphasised that the nations that own their maritime area and have developed literature and other learning methodologies as part of their educational system are the nations that have the most success in the shipping industry. During Ezinne’s efforts to assemble the faculty, they had the opportunity to speak with a psychologist and consultant from the University of Texas. This individual has conducted a significant amount of research on Nigeria, and she shared with them her observation that the absence of literature in a certain field indicates that society does not accept the relevant professions.
Similarly, Dr. Taiwo Nolas-Alausa, the Head of Faculty for the Maritime Writes Project, noted that the initiative’s primary goal was to promote the Nigerian sector by drawing attention to the ways in which the industry has contributed to the economic growth of the nation. In her statement, she expressed her excitement at the progress they have accomplished over the past few years. Just recently, they heard the wonderful story of one of their trainees named, Uche Ohiaeri, who won an award and was subsequently granted a scholarship to attend the African Leadership Academy in South Africa.
Great literary scholars will be reproduced with the initiative.
She added that the timing of this year’s edition coincides with the beginning of the summer break. The results are in plain sight. The next Chimamanda Adichie, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, and any other great literary scholar is what they hope to produce. Taiwo, who is also the Director of Business Relations and Training at LCCI, urged both the public and private sectors, as well as the federal government, to place a higher priority on the personal and professional growth of young people. This would allow these individuals to become valuable contributors to the nation and the rest of the globe.
Professor Adegbite Tobalase, the Head of the Creative Writing Review and Editing Panel, during the training session, highlighted that writing is an art and observed that every writer needs to have a voice, tone, and structure. He also stated that every writer must have a unique perspective. There is an abundance of benefits that come along with having strong writing abilities. The first advantage is that a competent writer may communicate, earn a career in writing, become renowned, and even teach morality, as he explained.
Participant affirmed making use of the acquired skills.
Lastly, one of the attendees, speaking on the sideline of the event, Murtadho Musa, expressed his anticipation that the training would allow him to hone his skills as an aspiring writer. Explaining further at the event, he said he has picked up a few new writing skills, and he is going to help him put those skills to use by assimilating what he’s learned. This will enable him to produce more compelling narratives and projects, particularly those pertaining to the industry.
Related Link
MWP: Website
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