By BOSE ADELAJA

The Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has thrown his weight behind the Nigerian Navy, saying it has contributed immensely to the security of the nation, especially as regards safety on the nation’s territorial waters.

Senator Obanikoro who spoke with journalists in Lagos shortly after he flagged off the Navy week in commemoration of their 58th anniversary which took place at the Nigerian Navy Ship NNS, QUORRA, Apapa, urged Nigerians to support the organisation which had recorded laudable achievements in the past 58 years.

Highlighting its contribution to the nation’s economy, the Senator, said the Nigerian Navy had played a vital role to the progress of Nigeria as regards protection of maritime facilities and that of the oil industry.

Obanikoro said the 58th anniversary, was to showcase what the security organisation had done to ensure safety on the nation’s territorial waters, adding: ‘’I want us to take cognisance of the fact that the Navy is playing a very vital role in Nigeria giving the fact that our economy is not maritime like any other nation. Also, if you look at the role the Nigerian Navy is playing, an occasion like this makes sense to showcase what it has done in ensuring safety on our territorial water and that of our Oil industry”.

The Senator who said he was two months old in his new appointment enjoined the organisation to expand its horrizon, saying there is room for improvement. ‘’They have done well but I enjoin them to raise the level at which they are performing. I am happy with the level of performance of the Nigerian Navy but there is room for improvement. I am happy with them and want them to keep up the good works,’’ he said.

Continuing he said: ‘’There are good hands among them; I am saying this with confidence. I am barely two months old in this office and we must not forget that when someone is new in any field of endeavour, mistakes and corrections will be made but one’s ability to learn will yield a lot of improvement. So far, the Navy has done well and there is need for all of us to rally round them so that they can perform better. All hands must be on deck to ensure Nigeria as a nation overcomes all the challenges she is facing right now’’.