• Reinstates commitment to personnel welfare, civil-military relations

By Evelyn Usman

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has described the Nigerian Navy as a formidable maritime force, boasting well-trained and highly professional personnel who safeguard the nation’s maritime interests and contribute to global maritime security.

He made the statement on Friday, at the Dolphin Golf Club in Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos, as part of a one-week activities lineup for the Navy’s 69th anniversary celebration.

The CNS, who performed the tournament’s ceremonial tee-off in hole one, noted that beyond its core operational duties, the Nigerian Navy recognizes the importance of wellness, esprit de corps, and leadership development.

To this end, he encouraged personnel to participate in active sports activities, both locally and internationally, as a way to promote professionalism, integrity, and teamwork among personnel.
He said: “Golfing has become an important event in the Nigerian Navy’s sports calendar, as well as a platform for friendship and cultural exchanges across the country. As we celebrate this year’s anniversary, I urge us to utilize the festive atmosphere to commemorate our milestones and rededicate ourselves to redoubling our efforts for a credible and efficient Navy capable of meeting national security imperatives.

“Over the years, the Nigerian Navy has evolved into a formidable maritime force, renowned for its well-trained, professional, and highly capable personnel who safeguard Nigeria’s maritime interests and contribute to global maritime security. As we build on these achievements, we will prioritize comprehensive training and enhance welfare packages for our personnel. “Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy will continue to promote active participation in sports, both locally and internationally, fostering teamwork, discipline, and excellence.”

He described the golf tournament as a bridge-building initiative between the Navy and society, highlighting values such as patience, strategy, precision, integrity, and composure under pressure. He emphasized the importance of wellness, esprit de corps, and leadership development, noting that sporting events promote professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.

The tournament, which featured 71 players, including seven women, served as a platform for relaxation, connection, and bonding among personnel. Admiral Ogalla urged participants to remember the Navy’s 69 years of dedicated service, sacrifice, and commitment to Nigeria’s peace and prosperity, calling for unity, dedication, and pride in the Navy’s heritage moving forward.

Commissions NOD Transit accomodation

Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff had commissioned the renovated Ratings Transit Accommodation at the Naval Ordinance Depot (NOD) in Ojo, Lagos, reaffirming the Navy’s commitment to personnel welfare. He emphasized that comfortable living conditions are crucial to enhancing personnel proficiency and efficiency, as they directly impact physical and mental well-being, focus, productivity, and overall job performance.

The Admiral Superintendent of NOD, Rear Admiral Livingstone Izu, welcomed the CNS and explained that the 11-room apartment for junior ratings, originally built in the 1980s as part of the Monomono project, had been transformed into a modern living space through to the CNS’s approval of resources for the renovation.

He said: “We gather today to witness the Chief of the Naval Staff’s unwavering commitment to enhancing personnel welfare in the Nigerian Navy. His approval of resources for this renovation project has addressed a critical accommodation challenge for NOD ratings. A range of works, including roofing, tiling, painting, plumbing, electrical installations, borehole development, and provision of basic furniture, were meticulously carried out using direct labor to create a comfortable living environment. Today marks the culmination of this effort with the commissioning of this upgraded facility.”

Promotes civil- Military relations

In a related development, the Nigerian Navy Friday, opened its warship, NNS KADA, to 300 civilians, including students, for a sea trip aimed at fostering civil-military relations.

This gesture, part of the Navy’s 69th-anniversary celebrations, sought to build bridges and promote mutual understanding between the Navy and the community.

The ship set sail from NNS Beecroft Jetty in Apapa, Lagos, and took guests on a three-hour tour of Lagos waters.

Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Ibrahim Mohammed-Katsina described the initiative as a reflection of Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s strategic guidance on civil-military relations.

According to Rear Admiral Ibrahim Mohammed-Katsina, the purpose of the sea trip was to celebrate the Nigerian Navy’s 69th anniversary and foster civil-military relations. He emphasized that civilians, as taxpayers, had a stake in the Navy’s operations and assets, and that collaboration and cooperation were essential.

“The event aimed to assure the public of their safety and the Navy’s commitment to protecting national assets, particularly in the maritime environment”, he said.

The Commanding Officer of NNS KADA, Captain Andrew Zidon, added that the trip provided an opportunity for the public to experience the sea and gain insight into the Navy’s activities, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring maritime security and promoting a thriving blue economy for Nigeria.