No ‘Victor Okonkwo’ as present cadet in Maritime Academy of Nigeria – Management

The Management of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria has refuted claims by a certain Mr. Victor Okonkwo of being a final year cadet in the Academy.

In a statement on Monday, the Management said its attention was drawn to a viral video of suspected cultists who murdered and beheaded their victim.

It said that the Management just like other Nigerians, condemned the horrible act, and immediately dissociated the Academy from the said Mr. Victor Okonkwo, who claimed to be a present final year cadet.

The Management gave clarification that a certain Victor Okonkwo known to the Academy was one who was enrolled as a cadet in 2014 and was dis-enrolled in 2016 after he could not pass his examinations.

It said: “The Management of the Academy hereby states that Mr. Victor Okonkwo is not a current cadet of the institution. He enrolled as a cadet in 2014 but could not graduate because he kept failing the course till he was dis-enrolled in 2016, the very year he was last seen at the institution.”

The Academy’s Management further explained that graduation ceremonies held every two years and that since the last graduation was on 21 Dec. 2020, it simply meant that they would not have final year cadets until December 2022, making the claim by the Victor Okonkwo of being a final year cadet, false.

It added that “The Maritime Academy of Nigeria is a highly regimented Maritime training school with over 60 naval personnel deployed within to instill discipline and also for training support.

“In it’s over 40 years of existence, it never had a student’s union and also no records of cultism. All cadets are accommodated on-board and are monitored as the institution has CCTVs everywhere including classrooms.”

The Management assured members of the public, especially parents, that their children/wards are safe within the Academy and there is no need to be apprehensive about their safety.