BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, PORT HARCOURT
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has Charged Naval Officers to be courageous in the quest to surmount insurgency, banditry militancy and other sundry crimes across the nation.
Vice Admiral Gambo gave the charge during the passing out Parade of Direct Short Service Course 28, Special Direct Pre-commissioning Training 2021 and Batch 31 Trainees at Nigerian Naval College Onne, Rivers State.
About one thousand five hundred personnel of the Nigerian Navy including two hundred and forty six females participated in the passing out Parade, signaling the end of a rigorous training period at Nigerian Naval College and Nigerian Navy Basic Training School both in Onne, Rivers State.
hey were exposed to Blue Chip economy, Leadership and management, survival at sea, weapon handling, navigation and seamanship. Others areas were, Maritime Domain awareness, Cyber security, International Maritime laws as well as parade and physical training.
The cadets who went through seven days sea tour onboard NNS OKPABANA and NNS THUNDER also visited different Nigerian Navy establishments, Nigerian Army as well as other maritime security outfits to gain experience in different aspects of security operations.
Speaking during the passing out Parade, the Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo enjoined the officers to be bold in confronting militancy, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism within the nation’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea.
Vice Admiral Gambo who doubled as the reviewing Officer of the passing out Parade noted that Nigerian Navy has achieved some remarkable milestones in Maritime security as acknowledged by International Maritime body.
On collaboration with other Navies, the CNS said that Nigerian Navy is forming alliance with Ghana Navy for adequate policing of the Gulf of Guinea and African Sub-region.
He was optimistic that such synergy will go a long way to quell insurgency, Piracy and militancy in the West African Sub-region.
The Naval Boss revealed that the Nigerian Navy is making effort to acquire platforms that will facilitate adequate security of the Nation’s water ways precisely two brand new offshore patrol vessels from Turkey.
This he stated will be added to the already inducted NNS Kano, NNS Aba, NNS Ekine, NNS Orji, NNS Osun and NNS Sokoto.
“A lot will be expected of you as newly commissioned officers especially in the light of contemporary security challenges facing our nation”
“These challenges call for dedication, selflessness, professionalism and esprit de Corps”
“As I’m sure you have discovered during the period of your training, that Nigerian Basic training School is a process of being transformed from being a civilian into military personnel.”
The Chief of the Naval Staff maintained that the Federal government is committed to the welfare of officers and encourage them to be obedient to constituted authorities.
Vice Admiral Gambo who described Nigerian Navy Training School a citadel of learning that has churned out core professionals that have distinguished themselves in their carriers, commended management of the institution for their efforts.
Giving the details of the training, the training Coordinator Commander Jeremiah Ayin-Odu explained that the Cadets took thirty one courses which were tactically crafted to give them all round exposure for a successful naval carrier.
Commander Ayin-Odu gave assurance that the officers fulfilled the requirements for the commissioning cum oath of allegiance as Ratings and Sub-Lieutenants of Nigerian Navy.
“There is no doubt that the Cadets having survived the rigors of the course, met the requirements for commissioning into the Nigerian Navy.”
“I make bold to say that the instructors have done their best to ensure that highest standard of training and the college’s tradition of excellence is sustained.”
In their words of advice, both the Chairman Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Thompson Sekibo and the Chairman House Committee on Navy, Mr. Yusuf Gagdi, told the officers to add value to the Nigerian Navy by justifying the investment of both the Federal government and their families to see them through the exercise.
The lawmakers commended Navy hierarchy and promised to support their operations.
High point of the event was presentation of awards to officers who were exceptional during the course of the training.
