By Evelyn Usman

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), has declared that the Nigerian Armed Forces would not give in to terror in any form, assuring that the country would overcome the war against insurgency.

He made the declaration Thursday night at the Ceremonial Sunset Dinner and Awards Night, held at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, which marked the grand finale of activities commemorating the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, with over ten past Chiefs of Naval Staff and friendly maritime nations from Africa and beyond in attendance.

Gen. Musa (retd) acknowledged that the challenges were daunting but opined that collaboration with friendly maritime nations remained the only path to defeating those who wished the nation ill.

He said, “The enemies are not relenting; we will not relent. We shall overcome and we will win the war. I want us to remain strong. The challenges are daunting, but collectively, we shall overcome because we have the spirit of success as Nigerians. We will never ever give in to terror in whatever form. The president is determined; members of the armed forces are working tirelessly, as is the entire security architecture of Nigeria and, indeed, Nigerians.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the President for the support to the Nigerian Navy and, indeed, to the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria towards the fight against insurgency in ensuring that they have the right platforms to continue to fight. And I want to take this advantage to appreciate all Nigerians for standing strong.”

He hailed the Navy’s seven decades of guarding the nation’s maritime frontiers, disclosing that its activities have had a transformative impact on the nation’s blue economy, securing vital sea lanes; protecting offshore oil and gas assets; combating piracy and illegal fishing; and enabling sustainable exploitation of marine resources for national prosperity.

He observed that “Throughout my career, from when I was Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, to when I became the CDS, and now as Minister of Defence, the Nigerian Navy forces have been consistent. They have contributed immensely to the successes achieved in the Niger Delta region. The Special Boat Services, the new marine forces that are here, will continue to do so much and are ever proud to serve the Navy. Our ability to safeguard the Gulf of Guinea will go a long way to ensuring that our country is valued and enhanced.”

Looking to the future, the minister charged the Nigerian Navy to emerge as a highly technological, interconnected, and internationally collaborative force, harnessing surveillance, unmanned systems, cyber capabilities, and data-driven operations, assuring that the Federal Government remained firmly committed to providing the necessary support, resources, and enabling environment to realise this ambitious future.

He congratulated the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for the navy’s remarkable performance, which he described as “an epitome of organisational prowess”, and also applauded the awardees, saying their courage, professionalism, and quiet sacrifices had upheld the highest traditions of naval service.

Earlier, the CNS, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, disclosed that the Nigerian Navy achieved zero piracy status in the Gulf of Guinea since 2022, a milestone he described as a cornerstone for the nation’s maritime security framework.

Abbas stated that “from humble beginnings of a few coastal patrol boats and a mere 250 personnel, today we are privileged to possess a formidable fleet comprising over 152 naval vessels of different types and classes. The transformation was not just a numerical achievement but symbolised an impactful structural evolution, enhancing the Navy’s capacity to address a multitude of maritime challenges.

“The development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy, which is valued at approximately $3 trillion, has been catalysed by our relentless pursuit of maritime security. By fostering a stable environment, we have significantly lowered insurance premiums for incoming cargoes, creating a more inviting atmosphere for international trade.”

Abbas also revealed that maritime revenue had escalated from around $700 billion in 2023 to an impressive $1.8 trillion by 2025, a growth he said reflected the Navy’s operational success and highlighted the interplay between security and economic prosperity.

Looking ahead, the CNS said the Navy would focus on “developing the robust capacity that ensures every inch of our maritime environment is monitored and secured, integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and cyber-resilience solutions to boost both our surveillance and response capabilities”.

In the awards segment, the Nigerian Navy presented honours across seven categories to over 30 recipients, including officers, ratings, and posthumous awardees, with the Chief of the Naval Staff’s Commendation Award recognising gallantry in operations against insurgency and maritime crime; the Nigerian Navy Long Service Medal honouring pilots with cumulative decades of exemplary service; the Invention Award celebrating Captain Sio Obute’s indigenous naval vessel design; the Command at Sea Award for exceptional leadership of naval platforms; and special sports medals for excellence in boxing and martial arts, including a bronze medallist at the 14th Kilos Games.

The essence of the awards, as explained, was to foster a culture of excellence and dedication, inspire younger personnel, and affirm that quiet sacrifice and professionalism, whether securing the Gulf of Guinea, repelling terrorist attacks in the Niger Delta, or developing indigenous technology, would never go unrecognised.