As part of event outlined to mark the 69 anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, the Chief of the Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, says the navy will commission three warships and three helicopters next Saturday.
Vice Admiral Ogalla stated that the vessels and helicopters which were recently acquired will be deployed to help fight maritime crime in the nation’s water.
Daily Trust reports that the Chief of the Naval Staff made this disclosure at an interdenominational Church Service held at Our Lady of the Sea Catholic church held in Lagos on Sunday.
He stated that the commissioning of the vessels and helicopters is part of event outlined to mark the Nigerian Navy 69the Anniversary.
He stated that: ” In line with our strategic plans and objectives, we are focused on capacity building, acquisition of platforms, infrastructure development, as well as welfare of our people and civilians.
“While these developments and infranstruture will be sustained through our professional efforts, efficiency and effectiveness of the service, it is imperative that we remain fair, safe and stable.
“It is also important that we remain peace-loving citizens of our great country Nigeria, as well as remain law-abiding citizens, abiding by the principles that foster unity in our nation.
“During this anniversary celebration, we will be commissioning three ships, and three helicopters, several residential accommodations, and office blocks. We are also expecting several other platforms to join the fleet within this year.
“Let me also assure you that under my watch, we will try to mitigate the challenges in the Nigerian Navy, knowing fully well that shelter is one of the basic needs of man. In accordance with our commitments to national security, we established the special operations command in Markodi, and we also established the Nigerian Navy Marines. Being Nigerian Swords creating an agile force capable of expeditionary warfare and post-activative challenges in support of land-based operations, which is where most of our challenges are coming from now.
“Note that we will continue to improve in our operational strategies in terms of criminalizing the Maritime environment and our land. We will also continue to improve on our strategy to perform our duties as a regional key power for the Gulf of Guinea region, by ensuring that the key ways of communication within this region are safe.
“The success of the Nigerian Navy in terms of operations and intercultural development will not have been possible without the support of Mr. President. On this note, I want to, on this note, use this opportunity to thank and appreciate the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his complete and unrelenting support. I may go on to say that the President’s fixed issues that concern the Nigerian Navy are very fascinating to the extent that he has never turned down any of our requests.
” To remain faithful and committed towards the sustained security of our maritime domain, we will also continue to support land-based operations for national security in support of the President’s new hope agenda of economic prosperity and national independence of our nation.
“I wish to also thank members of our family, particularly in NOWA and NARAWA, for their support, which has been the bedrock of all the achievements that we have achieved within these short years” he stated.
Earlier in his Sermon, Rev. Father Richmond Diala, while in his administration, he stated that a good Christian can never be a bad soldier.
He explained that as a naval officer, one must be true and real and accountable and that being truthful is in the hands of the people.
