Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo Takes Over Command of NNS BEECROFT, Pledges to Sustain Gains

Chiemelie Ezeobi 

Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo has assumed office as the 23rd Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, the operational arm of the Western Naval Command in Lagos and Ogun Areas of Responsibility (AOR). 

The assumption of office came after the handing and taking over ceremony of the command between Commodore Kolawole Olumide Oguntuga and his successor, Commodore Oladejo which entailed signing the handing and taking over notes as well as handing and taking over of the Command Flag. 

Held at the conference room of  NNS BEECROFT conference room, Commodore Oguntuga said the highlight of his eventful tenure were the arrests made, as well as making the maritime domain safer for seafarers. 

He said while holding sway at NNS BEECROFT, he built on the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, which is “To have a highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals including land-based engagements in fulfilment of Nigeria’s national interest.”

Oguntuga, who has since resumed at the Naval Headquarters as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the CNS, also credited the help of the Maritime Domain Awareness (NDA) facilities for the successes recorded. 

In turn, Commodore Oladejo, commended for his successor, while pledging to sustain the gains recorded and even surpass it. He further thanked the CNS for deeming him fit to lead NNS BEECROFT, promising to deliver in terms of making the maritime domain within his AOR even safer than he met it. 

Commodore Oladejo hails from Erin-Ile, Oyun LGA of Kwara State and a member of 44 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. Prior to his appointment as the commander NNS BEECROFT, he was the Commanding Officer NNS CENTENARY, Commanding Officer Forward Operating Base BONNY, Commandant Nigerian Navy Intelligence School, Ubima and Principal Staff Officer to Chief of the Naval Staff.

He attended the following military courses: International Intelligence Course at the South African Defence Intelligence College, Pretoria, Maritime Search & Rescue Course at the United States Coast Guard Training Centre, Virginia USA, Terrorism & Security Studies Course at the George C Marshall European Centre Germany, and 25 different Courses at the United Nations Peace Operations amongst others.

Commodore Oladejo holds the following certificates: Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, Certificate in Advanced Personnel/Human Resource Management from Administrative Staff College of Nigeria Badagry, Post Graduate Diploma in Security Management & Operations from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and Master of Science in Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan. 

He is an Alumni of the George C Marshall European Centre for Security Studies Germany, Fellow of the Institute of Security Management & Operations of Nigeria, Member of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Fellow of the International Institute of Professional Security, Member of the Society for Peace and Security Practice and Member Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

The senior officer has the following awards and decorations to his credit: ECOMOG Medal, United Nations Medal, Command at Sea Badge, DSS psc BSc PGD MSc FISMON FIIPS MNIM MSPSP MCIPM.