Henceforth, proficiency in swimming is now a prerequisite for promotion in the Nigerian Navy, it was learnt yesterday.
According to the outgoing commandant, NNS QUORRA, Commodore Francis Isaac, has said.
The order, according to him, was given by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, to check drowning during operations.
Isaac, who has been appointed the Deputy Chief, Defence Space Agency, Abuja, spoke after his valedictory parade held at Apapa.
He said: “As way of reemphasising the importance of swimming, the CNS gave an order that all personnel must be able to swim and acquire a proficiency certificate.
“There are criteria that must be met; it is not just going to any swimming pool to be certified. There are certain criteria and that has become a requirement for promotion.”
On the challenges he encountered as Commandant QUORRA, Isaac said:
“Every training institution that most grow has the challenge of coming up with something new that will solve prevailing problems. Two years ago, we talked only about Boko Haram, but today we are also talking about Avengers. So, as a school, we had to introduce courses that can best address the problems. We tried as much as possible to eliminate the fear of water from personnel.
“NNS QUORRA is the citadel of training, discipline and a moulding ground for the great minds that worked and still work with the Navy. The onus of producing a highly skilled and motivated manpower capable of effectively performing the roles of the NN lies on the institution.
“We were able to conceptualise and conduct three new courses, Basic Marine Operation Course for the Nigeria Police Force, Choke Point Control and Management Course and the Command Level Officers Course, aside the regular courses run in the institution.
“The reactivation of the 200,000 litres water tank to cater for the increasing number of students; commissioning of a brand new Electronic Chart Information Display System (ECDIS)…”