NAVY @ 70: ‘INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IS BEDROCK OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE’ – CNS By Chris Mark
NAVY @ 70: ‘INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IS BEDROCK OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE’ – CNS
By Chris Mark
Four infrastructure projects were commissioned Tuesday at Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th Anniversary, with naval leadership linking personnel welfare directly to maritime security output.
The projects a new bridge, a ratings mess, a remodeled administrative block, and an administrative block extension were unveiled by Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS,Vice Admiral Idi Abbas .
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, the CNS said the ceremony was “not just unveiling brick and mortar, but to celebrate a milestone that beautifully aligns with the historic 70th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.”
“Seven decades of maritime guardianship, resilience, and unalloyed loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria is no small feat,” he said.
The CNS stressed that the commissioning is a “direct translation of my Command Philosophy into visible reality,” noting that “the human component is the most valuable asset of our fleet.”
“Providing a conducive, modern working and living environment is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity for enhanced personnel operational effectiveness. When our officers and ratings are well-accoutred, well-housed, and supported by robust infrastructure, their morale is boosted, their focus is sharpened, and their operational output increases exponentially,” he said.
He tied welfare to the Navy’s evolution from “a small coastal force into a formidable regional maritime power,” stating that “infrastructural development is the bedrock of sustained operational excellence.”
In his remark, Commander NNS SOROH, Commodore Christian Akokota, said the projects were initiated to ensure “a more conducive working environment for personnel” in line with the CNS’s command philosophy.
Akokota thanked Engineer Segun Ojo for designing and constructing the extension, and singled out Master Warrant Officer Orji Francis for “tirelessness, dedication and willingness to undertake any task,” calling him “one of the greatest assets of the Nigerian Navy currently.”
In a separate interview, Rear Admiral Ibrahim said a proposed deep seaport in Bayelsa would deliver “uncountable” benefits.
“Bayelsa is an oil and gas producing state but depends on ports in Rivers and Delta for offshore support. If a seaport is domiciled in Bayelsa, it’s going to create jobs, open up the oil and gas industry, and cut transit time,” he said.
He cited operational gaps during recent Navy outreach: “We did a sea visit for civilians yesterday. We had to go to Delta and Rivers, but because there is no port in Bayelsa, we couldn’t do one for Bayelsans.”
Such trips combat “sea blindness,” he said. “Nigeria is a maritime state but a lot of us are sea blind. We do not see what happens there, yet that is the lifeblood of the Nigerian state.”
He urged public support for the Agge Deep Seaport project “so that Bayelsans will begin to benefit.”
