Navy Vows to Rid Nigeria’s Territorial Waters of Maritime Illegalities

Chiemelie Ezeobi

In line with its zero tolerance to maritime illegalities including piracy, crude oil theft and sea robbery, the Nigerian Navy (NN) on Friday reiterated its commitment to rid Nigeria’s territorial waters of such, thus creating a free domain for economic prosperity.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas, said this at the graduation ceremony of Senior Officers’ Course held at Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra, Apapa, Lagos.

According to the Training Captain, Livingstone Izu, the course saw 22 officers of the rank of captains and commanders graduating after a four-week Command Level Officers’ Course.

The CNS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, said he was delighted to be in the graduation ceremony of the participants in the Command Level Course.

He said, “It would be recalled that my mission statement clearly spelt out the need for a well-trained, organised and highly motivated personnel to fulfil our constitutional roles.

“And also to fulfil our constitutional roles professionally and efficiently in the defence of Nigeria for our economic prosperity and wellbeing of our people.

“This equally resonates with the specific task on Human Resource Management and Administration in the CNS’ Strategic Directive 2015-1, the command level course was emplaced to deliver on the core objectives therein.

“Therefore, training must be continually reinvigorated through deliberate innovations to achieve our desired goals.

“In this regard, the command level course provided a veritable means to fast track the delivery of a trained and ready force as the important linkage through quality leadership training to achieve command attributes.

“It is my hope that you have imbibed sufficient knowledge within the past one month to enable further self-development as you set to take command ashore or afloat.”

Ibas, also said Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari had ensured that the navy was well resourced within the limit of available funds bearing in mind contending national needs and priorities.

He said, “The nation has invested in all of us. I enjoin you therefore, to strive to justify the huge resources by playing a credible role in the attainment of navy’s mandate.”

Also speaking, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, said that the course was a result of deep introspection.

He said, “Our past operations and trainings as well as experiences with lessons learnt, served as the main ingredents for the course.

“I have no doubt that the course will fill the gaps, in past efforts as well as the renewed drive to meet present and future challenges, in operations in our maritime domain.”

While congratulating the graduating officers, he enjoined them to continue to be good ambassadors of the service, adding that, “Indeed, we are glad to state that we are developing the next generation of Naval Leaders.”

The Commandant, NNS Quorra, Commodore Francis Isaac, during his welcome address, said the objective of the course was to prepare nominated officers for command level responsibilities.

He said, “This is a view to improving the quality of command afloat and ashore.

This was achieved by equipping the participants with requisite tools to exercise effective command in furtherance of navy’s roles and activities.”

Captain Livingstone Izu, the course Training Captain, also said the course was designed to acquaint participants with sufficient knowledge on the structures and management process of activities in the navy.

He said, “Also the course is designed to acquaint participants with higher level strategies, plans, policies and directives that provide current direction for operations and management of the navy.”