By Evelyn Usman

The 12th Nigerian Navy Games Lagos 2022, came to a close Tuesday evening, with the Eastern Naval Command emerging the  overall winner.

The Naval Training Command emerged second place  while the Logistic and Central Naval command came third and fourth respectively, in the games which were held at the newly commissioned Navy Sports Complex, in Ojo area of Lagos.

Minister of Defence , Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd) who was Guest of Honour, applauded efforts of the Eastern Naval Command for topping the medals table.

He also commended the Nigerian Navy for  committing  resources towards ensuring personnel maintained requisite standards of mental and physical wellbeing.

The Minister said, “ The  construction of the complex as well as organizing the Games  are a clear manifestation of the importance the Nigerian Navy ascribes to physical fitness and mental alertness, which are  key considerations required by personnel of the Armed Forces to overcome challenges and increasing demands across spectrums of theaters of operation.

“ I am also aware that new discoveries and talents that would represent the Nigerian Navy and the nation at national and international competitions have been identified.

“While commending the Nigerian Navy’s efforts to improve physical fitness and mental alertness of its personnel, let me also acknowledge the tremendous contributions of the Nigerian Navy towards securing the nation’s maritime domain for the benefit of Nigerians and economic prosperity of our great country.

 “Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy has continued to play significant roles in internal security operations in support of sister services and other security and law enforcement agencies towards addressing current insecurity in various parts of the country.  The task of providing security both within the maritime domain and on land is without doubt enormous, requiring commensurate appropriation”.

“On this note, let me commend the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo for this feat and also reassure the Nigerian Navy that the Ministry of Defence will sustain efforts to support the Navy at every level especially as the country prepares for the general elections. The Federal Government and by extension the Ministry of Defence will leave no one in doubt on its resolve to make Nigeria safe and secure for all citizens”, the Minister of Defence  stated.

His counterpart in  the Ministry of Youth and  Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, stated that  a great number of sporting talents in Nigeria came from the Armed Forces and the Police.

While commending the  NN’s  for a job well done, Dare urged the  Service to  continue  in its path of providing competitions as a platform for discovering talents and instilling discipline.

 He also urged other Armed Forces to emulate the Nigerian Navy .

In his remark, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral  Awwal Gambo, stated that over 2,000 contestants from all naval bases and establishments as well as invited athletes from sister services and other security agencies participated in the competitions.

The games, which lasted eight days according to him, provided an opportunity for participating teams to display what he described as  commendable levels of physical fitness and mental alertness that were essential for combat readiness.

“ I am optimistic that the activities facilitated team spirit, friendship and camaraderie, which are part of objectives for organizing the Games.  I hope these qualities would be further sustained for national integration.   

“ I would like to encourage everyone to sustain one form of sports or the other as the resultant effects are enormous, including effective discharge of our constitutional mandate. It is on this note that I congratulate everyone that participated and particularly for those that won medals”, Gambo said.

 He was however quick to admonish the winners that ”  It is one thing to win medals and another to hold onto the medals won.  I will therefore encourage you to hold onto these medals as well as improve on winning more medals in subsequent competitions and games.  For those that did not win, there are always opportunities to prove yourselves.   I congratulate you all”.

The CNS stated  that the Games in addition to the numerous acquisitions through the support of President Muhamadu Buhari, had further positioned the Nigerian Navy towards ameliorating security challenges. He therefore  reassured Nigerians of the Nigerian Navy’s resolve to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment for socio-economic activities to thrive. 

The games undertaken included: wrestling, Javelin throwing, Badminton,Cross country, hurdle, triple jump ,  long jump and boat handling.

Others were: boxing, football, Golf, sailing, Kayaking, scrabble, swimming, squash racket shooting ,Taekwondo tennis, tug of war and  volleyball .

The Police team won the Air Force’s  in the Tug of war competition.