The Admiral’s Compass to Military Strategy, Maritime Security
Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that An Admiral’s Compass: Reflections on Leadership, Military Strategy and Maritime Security’ authored by Rear Admiral Francis Akpan, retired, was targeted at impacting generations of naval officers, military officers and heads of maritime agencies
In a bid to impact generations of naval officers, military officers and other heads of maritime agencies, Rear Admiral Francis D. Akpan (Rtd) recently wrote a book titled “An Admiral’s Compass: Reflections on Leadership, Military Strategy And Maritime Security”.
Last Thursday, the book launch held at the Admiralty Conference/Event Centre, Naval Dockyard, Lagos.
According to the author, the book is meant to set the course for those who will be responsible for leadership nationally and those who will manage the various maritime organisations, adding that
“It’s like a plea to say that we have to cooperate so we can have a conducive maritime environment for the economy to thrive and for the country to develop.
“We cannot do anything without good leadership either in the services or within other maritime organisations, so we must fit in the right kind of leaders in the 21st century that we are.”
The author also called for the adoption of grooming leaders from cradle as it is done in the Navy. “If we adopt this, we should be able to breed the kind of leadership we expect in the service and the nation at large from the counsellor to the president,” he added.
Foreword
In the foreword, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote, “An Admiral’s Compass is a reflection of works based on the experience of a naval aviator, a seaman, war veteran, military diplomat and two-star Admiral that is intended to share knowledge across the spectrum of personnel in the military in particular and those that are responsible for the management of the defence establishment.
“It is also intended to enlighten the larger members of security institutions and communities with information on leadership, military/naval strategy and maritime security as concepts. It will inspire the understanding of their various functions without the attendant clash of interest between maritime military institutions. It avoids the duplication of national assets in the pursuit of various mandates. Albeit, as a collective, under a central national coordinated effort, the aspirations for a better-secured nation will be achieved.”
Commendations
The book garnered so many commendations including that of former Chief of Air Staff and subsequently, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike. He wrote, “An Admiral’s Compass is an informative, lucid and authoritative read that details the author’s rich experience within and outside the Navy and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. It demystifies the concepts of military strategy, maritime strategy and security and advocates for its domestication to suit Nigeria Military Operational Arts.”
Also, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas wrote, “On a personal note, An Admiral’s Compass presents a variety lessons to me. For instance, the first section on ‘Peace and Security’ reminds me of critical aspects of military strategy and maritime security that most people gloss over but which hold the key to the wellbeing of littoral states. Details on ‘Operational Excellence, especially the reflections on Maritime Domain Awareness and funding options for the NN reminds me of daily events I encountered in my privileged position as CNS for over five years.
“It was essentially a constant battle of having ‘to do much more with less. The third section on ‘The Admiral’s Navy’ focuses on manpower development which is necessary to achieve an optimal professional performance of personnel. Generally, the insight from this book ties up splendidly with my vision as CNS which was, ‘To develop a credible naval power in fulfilment of the NN’s constitutional role towards enhancing national prosperity and security! I am convinced that a navy’s course set with the wisdom espoused in this book would always lead to prosperous and safe habours.”
In another commendation, Elder Uma .O Eleazu wrote, “What does a compass do? An instrument showing the magnetic meridian and finding one’s position in relation to it. With all the cacophony going on as debate on National Security, both in moral or instrumental terms, one needs this book: An Admiral’s Compass. It calls for clarity and systemic approaches to security issues and reorientation of our moral compass too.”
Book Launch
Recently, the book launch was held at Nigerian Navy Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a potpourri of events ranging from the cutting of cake to speeches, book launch, speeches and goodwill messages.
Launching the book, the book presenter representing the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN described the author as an intelligent naval officer.
He recalled that when the Governor Udom Emmanuel put together a committee for the Ibaka project, the retired admiral was the first name that was mentioned to come on board.
The Minister’s Recommendation
In his speech, the special guest of honour, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), said the researched publication would significantly enhance the Nigerian Navy’s effectiveness in the formulation of maritime strategy in the Gulf of Guniea.
Magashi, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Idris, the Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), said the publication comes at a time when the nation and the entire globe is faced with a myriad of asymmetric security threats.
He said: “With the launch of the Deep Blue Project and other efforts to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea, intellectual discourses and thoroughly researched publications such as this is significant. This will significantly enhance the Nigerian Navy’s effectiveness as the vital agency in the formulation of maritime strategy and lead organisation for maritime domain awareness and maritime security.
“The Armed Forces and the Nigerian Navy in particular will therefore be required to creditably engage in military policing duties and projection of national power at sea enabling diplomacy and fostering national pride,” he said.
On the author, he described him as an accomplished naval veteran with decades of distinguished military service involving numerous domestic and international engagements at sea and at shore.
“My personal interactions with the author date back to my tenure as the Commander Nigerian Contingent ECOMOG where he served in the Naval Task Force. Rear Adm. Akpan (rtd) also served as Commander Naval Unit, Abuja while I commanded the Brigade of Guards. The book is a product of decades of professional and intellectual military experience, therefore endorses the author’s capacity to engage objectively within the domains of military leadership, strategy and maritime security,” he said.
Magashi said that the publication serves as a useful resource hub and credible repository of information on leadership and maritime strategic thought for students of military leadership, strategy and maritime security.
“I, therefore commend this laudable effort and encourage others to emulate same by contributing their quota to national security and development through literary works. I commend the support of President Muhammadu Buhari for all scholastic and other efforts aimed at enhancing national defence and security,” he added.
Navy’s Perspective
For the Chief Of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the publication was an informative and authoritative book that historically documents issues surrounding the surveillance systems and maritime security within the country, adding that “it highlights pressing issues in the maritime environment including suggesting and recommending steps, approaches and processes in ensuring that the sovereignty of the nation remains firm and unthreatened in the ocean.
“The objective of this book is to inspire fundamental change in attitudinal approach to training and reconcile the symbiotic relationship between training, education and experience”.
Stressing that it would help develop leaders that could readily meet the challenges of the 21st century, he added that “this will help them explore viable funding options for effective transformation of the Nigerian Navy as well as advocate cooperation with other agencies and institutions to achieve the nation’s maritime objectives.
“Furthermore, it would inspire the development of effective strategies to the twin evils of piracy and terrorism in our waters, amongst others. Relatedly, An Admiral’s Compass offers a roadmap for solving pertinent issues that continue to plague the Nigerian Navy.”
The CNS further stated that the naval space needed more authoritative and informative books like ‘An Admiral’s Compass’ given the constant need to beef up security strategies. He also posited that “writing a book is no mean feat especially for a delicately poised subject like maritime security.
“I must commend the author for putting together series of proven strategies that he garnered in a career that spanned decades. I am convinced that the book will serve as a viable reference material for academic research and I recommend it as a worthy companion for every naval officer”.
Reviewer’s Stance
The book reviewer and former Director General, National Maritime Authority (NMA), now Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration, (NIMASA), Mr. Ferdinand Agu, noted that An Admiral’s Compass – leads one through Nigeria’s maritime strategic thinking and maritime security issues.
According to him, “the growing insecurity in our maritime environment underscores the urgency for effective domain awareness, greater capacity to confront and respond rapidly to threats and challenges. This book is the author’s contribution to his call for a national discussion on these issues; to create consensus around policy priorities, implementing structures, funding and investment in organisations, training and equipment for robust protection of Nigeria’s maritime space.
“Beyond that, An Admiral’s Compass is informative, authoritative and points the true north for readers and leaders that value and demand vision, professionalism and mature judgment in those charged with duties and responsibilities as guardians of our maritime space.”
He noted that the central message in the book is the call for all naval officers and maritime agencies involved with maritime security to adapt to change as maritime strategic thoughts evolve and practice of maritime strategy change with time
Agu also recalled the author’s enormous contribution when he served in the then National Maritime Authority (now NIMASA), to formalise the collaboration between NIMASA and the Navy.
“We began with the Hydrographer of the Navy. Years later, Admiral Akpan, as Flag Officer Commanding Western Command engineered the visionary expansion of that collaboration.
“His efforts culminated into a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding between the Navy and NIMASA. That MoU provides a strong platform for intra-sectoral collaboration and interagency cooperation, along the lines that Akpan insists, should drive our nation’s maritime governance.”
About the Author
Rear Admiral Francis D. Akpan (rtd) is the Managing Director of Fradan Iquoson Services Limited. He is a retired naval officer having served as a Directing Staff at Armed Forces Command & Staff College and the National Defence College. He has also served as a Defence Adviser to South Africa, a Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command and Naval Training Command of the Nigerian Navy (NN), amongst others.
As a renowned researcher and speaker, he has addressed audiences across Africa and Europe, championing conversations on maritime security and strategy alongside the improvement of the operational effectiveness of the NN.
As a multiple-award recipient, as well as consultant for various organisations within and outside the naval ecosystem, the author is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies.
