Iyalla Takes Over as FOC Logistics Command in Delta

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Rear Admiral Baratuaipri Iyalla has assumed office as the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Nigerian Navy Logistics Command, Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Rear Admiral Iyalla took over the mantle of leadership of the Command from the former FOC,  Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, who has since been deployed as Commandant of National Defence College.

During the colourful handing over ceremony, Iyalla promised to deepen priority of staff welfare and Navy equipment for optimum performance.

The ceremony among others, witnessed parade and eventual lowering of the out-gone FOC’s distinguishing flag to signify the end of Olotu’s 17 months of eventful tenure as head of the command.

Speaking with newsmen, Iyalla said that he would adopt two approaches going forward.

He said that the approach would focus on the welfare of his men and the equipment noting that the former would take precedence.

“Without the men, machines will not function irrespective of how perfect their conditions are, so the welfare of the men will be taking very seriously,” he said

The FOC, who is a former Chief Staff Officer (CSO) of the Logistics Command, said that the command would ensure that the Navy platforms were in perfect conditions for the men to perform optimally.

According to him, the entire functioning of the Nigerian Navy depends on the Logistics Command, stressing that it is the duty of the command to ensure the machines remain functional and in top conditions.

The naval boss reiterated that based on the responsibility, the Command must ensure that the Navy equipment were in a top-notch condition at all times.

He assured all that the command would work assiduously to ensure that the Nigerian Navy got values for the responsibility bestowed it.

“We are going to hit the ground running. Our approach will be two fold, one has to do with the men and the other, the machines. We will ensure that the welfare of the men are given priority. Without the men, no matter how perfect condition the machines are, they will not function. The entire functioning of the Nigeria Navy depends on the Logistics Command. It has a peculiar role in ensuring that the Navy moves, the men lives and they can fight because we are a fighting force.

“We will ensure that the machines which included ships, aircraft, boats and weapons and others that are required for us to execute our missions are in top-notch conditions,” he said.

Iyalla thanked the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla for appointing him as the FOC, adding that it was a great responsibility.

Rear Admiral Olotu, the out-gone FOC of the Command had thanked the CNS for appointing Iyalla as his successor in the Logistics Command.

He advised the new FOC to hit the ground running, noting that the command had a huge responsibility to the Nigerian Navy in securing our very existence in the country.

“The FOC should hit the ground running by continuing with the programmes tailored toward ensuring that Nigerian Navy has the platforms it needed for its constitutional responsibilities which are enormous.

“The FOC, Commanders and other staff should continue to work assiduously towards ensuring that the Nigerian Navy Fleet is available at all times to conduct operations at sea,” he said.

While urging the staff to cooperate with the new FOC, Rear Admiral Olotu advised his successor to take the welfare of his staff very seriously, noting that without them, the machines would be useless.

Olotu thanked the Ovie of Oghara kingdom and his subjects for their hospitality and appealed that such hands of fellowship should be extended to his successor.