WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigerian Navy has expressed concerns over the security of the nation’s maritime environment, saying, the Nigerian Maritime environment is not getting any safer.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas who spoke in Abuja during the decoration of the coordinator of the Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Rear Admiral Yem Musa said, the concern was especially with the upcoming social-political activities that are taking off.
Besides the elevation of Rear Admiral Musa was the promotion of the Principal General Staff Officer in the Office of the NSA, Brigadier-General Adeyinka Tadese Famadewa, to the rank of Major-General.
In his remarks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (Rtd.), noted that the maritime challenges were enormous, saying, “We cannot think of the efforts of the Nigerian Navy without support from other services especially from the Central Government, the maritime Challenges we have are enormous.
“One of the reasons I insisted on having the Gulf of Guinea summit in Abuja was because, we really pressed for Nigeria to take over the Chairmanship of the Gulf of Guinea being the only blue water Navy in the whole of the Gulf of Guinea, and knowing fully well the antecedents of the Nigerian Navy and so many situations, I just thought that it would also be an added platform for the Nigerian Navy to show what it can do.”
Monguno, however, stated that ONSA will continue to protect the integrity of the Nigeria Navy as an institution, adding that his office will enhance the productivity and capability of the Nigerian Navy.
Musa, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for opportunity given him to serve the nation in the position of Rear Admiral and the chief of Naval Staff for his committed leadership to the Nigerian Navy.
He reaffirmed his commitment and dedication to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as to redouble his efforts towards whatever he has been doing for the country.
