The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Central Naval Command

  • Medals, laurels for naval operatives at swimming competition

    The Central Naval Command (CNC) of the Nigerian Navy recently reminded its personnel of the importance of swimming skills to their survival, especially in the Niger Delta.

    Undoubtedly, swimming is the basic skill required in the Navy and it is expected that anybody working for the security outfit must be a good swimmer.

    Therefore, the CNC decided to organise a swimming competition to ensure that the officers and ratings had not forgotten their major survival skill.

    It was a three-day competition. Almost everybody participated in the exercise. They were divided into various teams to compete for laurels in the exercise that took place in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Indeed, it was a test of proficiency. Also, swimming is now a compulsory requirement for promotion. So, each team struggled to outdo other men and women from the various formations as they showcased their skills.

    But at the end, Team Delta emerged the overall winner with 12 gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze medal. Team CNC took second position with five silver medals and two bronze medals.

    In his speech at the closing ceremony, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) CNC, Real Admiral Saidu Garba, said the event was essentially to develop naval personnel’s competence and efficiency in operations.

    He said: “Essentially, the Central Naval Command and the NN has always sought to develop personnel competence and capacities for efficiency in operations.

    “The high competitive spirit witnessed in the last three days clearly demonstrates our personnel high spirit and ability. We have greatly looked forward to today when the competition would be rounded off.

    “I appreciate the support of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sport, our friends in the sister services and other security agencies throughout the course of this competition.

    “Today’s event will definitely not have been a reality without your massive supports that the command has been enjoying.

    “All the men are from the Central Naval Command. The idea is to bring out all our personnel so that we will get the best out of them and hopefully we are looking forward to an inter-command swimming championship.

    “We are already picking our best swimmers, who will represent us during that championship. What we have come to do is just to sieve our best players and our best swimmers among them in the command.

    “Swimming, for us, is not just sport and competition. Swimming for us is survival asset. We operate in the maritime domain which means we are surrounded by water.

    “The Chief of Naval Staff has emphasised the need for all naval personnel to learn how to swim, so that they will be able to survive in case of an accident in the water or to operate effectively within the maritime domain.

    “Not only that it is now a compulsory asset or criteria for promotion, For our junior officers, they will be expected to meet up a minimum swimming standard before they are promoted.

    “Swimming competition is an annual thing. Apart from the intra-command swimming championship which we have just held, we are now going to have an inter-command swimming championship for the entire Navy where all of us will gather in a designated place to compete.

    “I am hoping that among the boys and girls that we have seen swim today, am sure we are going to get champions that will represent the command.”

    Also speaking, the guest of honour, Air Vice-Marshall Peter Uzezi, reiterated the value of physical fitness, saying it was one of the essential ingredients to be a soldier.

    He praised the Central Naval Command for organising such a huge competition, adding that the competition compelled the personnel to know themselves and allowed the command to know the level of fitness of its men.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of medals and trophies to deserving athletes and the overall winners.

  • Commander lists achievements in Niger Delta

    Commander lists achievements in Niger Delta

    Friends, who gathered to bid him farewell, described the period of Rear Admiral Abubakar Al-Hassan as the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Central Naval Command (CNC) as short but eventful.

    Al-Hassan is no longer the FOC. His exit from the command located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was celebrated. The former FOC, who has been transferred to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja as Director of Transformation is succeeded by Rear Admiral Saleh Usman.

    But from the Officers’ Mess where a send-off party was held in Al-Hassan’s honour to the handover ceremonies and parades, the former commander was the centre of attraction.

    His scorecard spoke volume of why a commander, who spent only seven months in his duty post received standing ovation. In his address, he said: “Today, marks the end of my tour of duty as the flag officer commanding, Central Naval Command, a journey that started seven months ago.

    “On assumption of office, I settled down immediately for the challenges of the office. I must tell you that the command employed strategies that gave rise to continuous engagement with communities  to curtail criminalities and illegalities particularly within our Area of Responsibility (AOR)”.

    He listed the results of his efforts.  Between July 17, 2017 and January 18, 2018, the command seized and destroyed over 900,000 metric tones comprising Automative Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and crude oil. The command also destroyed over 712 illegal refinery camps.

    Also, over 100 wooden and power-driven boats engaged in illegalities were either seized or destroyed. He said the successes were attained through sustained patrols at sea and within the backwaters as well as the conduct of exercises and operations.

    Al-Hassan recalled the success story of one of the naval exercises codenamed Operation Octopus Grip, which was launched in October last year. He said the operation had so far had yielded tremendous results including the rescue of MT Interim from pirate attack on 1 Nov 17.

    He said the command recorded over 25,000 hours of boat patrols within creeks and waterways between July and Jan 18. He said the command also registered remarkable improvement in the provision of facilities as interventions to complement the efforts of the Naval Headquarters.

    “These are in the areas of sporting facilities, clean and hygienic drinking water, upgrade of messing facilities, remodeling of offices and accommodations.

    “Many more projects have already been initiated one of which was the ground breaking ceremony for Ratings Arrival Hall on 19 Jan 2018. These have no doubt motivated the officers and ratings of the command towards the attainment of it’s mandate especially by providing security in the maritime space of the CNC”, he said.

    He acknowledge the unalloyed support of officers, ratings, civilian staff and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the command for working tirelessly to ensure focus adding that without their commitment, the command’s efforts would have amounted to nothing.

    Al-Hassan further commended the governments of Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo,  and Kogi states for their support in providing facilities and logistics for the command’s operations.  He recognized the roles of the traditional rulers in ensuring their communities supported the command’s activities.

    “This address will be incomplete without acknowledging my utmost gratitude to the Chief of the Naval Staff for giving me the opportunity to contribute my quota to nation building in this capacity. I must appreciate his occasional push which guided me throughout my period as the Flag Officer Commanding”, he said.

    He charged the personnel to remain disciplined and more committed to ensure the safety and security of the maritime environment in the Central Naval Command. He insisted that the freedom of the seas and waterways would contribute to the economic prosperity of the country as contained in the Chief of the Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive.

    He employed them to give maximum support to the incoming FOC and advised them to cope with differences in individual styles of leadership.

    Speaking further, he said: “As you know, the nation economic centre of gravity falls within the operational domain of the Nigerian Navy, making the Navy a vital driver, guardian and enabler for Nigerian economic aspirations.”

     

     

     

  • We are committed to security on waterways – NAF boss

    We are committed to security on waterways – NAF boss

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, has assured that the Navy will continue to provide adequate security on Nigeria’s waterways.

    Ibas gave the assurance while inaugurating some projects at the Naval Outpost, Odekpe, near Onitsha, Anambra, on Tuesday.

    The projects are an administrative block, armoury, commanding officer’s house, officers’ quarters, senior rates’ quarters, junior rates’ quarters and comprehensive water treatment plant.

    Others are a 33KVA transformer and a 250KVA generator.

    Ibas said that the outpost became necessary as a result of careful evaluation of the security imperatives in the area.

    He recalled that the Federal Government, in 2009, commenced the dredging of River Niger from Lokoja to Onitsha/Asaba.

    “This was aimed at making the river more navigable for commerce to thrive.

    “Additionally, the proposed establishment of strategic infrastructure such as the Green Field Oil Refinery at Itobe, the Inland Water Ports at Lokoja and Onitsha is anticipated to increase marine traffic from Warri to Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    “In this context, the possibilities of the emergence of new security challenges were not far-fetched.

    “This appreciation necessitated the establishment of the Naval presence in the area to curb the envisaged criminal activities and free the largely water dominated environment for legitimate use,” Ibas explained.

    He said that since the establishment of the Onitsha Outpost in 2010, it had operated from a rented accommodation which had been vulnerable and limited in space.

    He said that the new facility would provide an environment conducive to work by personnel and for a greater operational effectiveness of the unit.

    The Navy boss appealed to the Anambra Government to assist in perimeter fencing, road network, drainages and erosion control at the outpost.

    He commended the Federal Government for its support as well as the state government for providing land, gunboats and patrol vehicles towards realising the project.

    In his remarks, the state governor, Mr Willie Obiano, commended the Navy for combating crime in the state, saying that it had helped to arrest some hoodlums who trafficked in arms through the River Niger.

    “Since the inception of my administration, I have had a strong partnership with the Navy and I will continue to render assistance to the outfit subject to availability of funds.

    “We will continue to support the Navy in our little way since you have been playing a critical role in the security of the state.

    “Our assistance will continue as our economy improves,” the governor stated.

    Earlier, the Flag Officer, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, said that the projects were part of the commitments of the Nigerian Navy for a working environment conducive for personnel.

    Garba said the inauguration of the projects marked the relocation from the temporary site to the permanent site.

    The occasion was graced by traditional rulers, other service chiefs, government functionaries as well as indigenes of Odekpe, near Onitsha where the outpost is sited.

  • Navy to militants: Embrace dialogue

    Navy to militants: Embrace dialogue

    The Nigerian Navy has asked the Niger Delta militants to embrace dialogue and stop bombings of oil installations in the region.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, spoke Saturday when he led a medical outreach to Etegwe community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    Garba argued that if militants failed to embrace dialogue and continued with their criminal activities, they would lose public sympathy.

    He explained that the free medical rhapsody was part of the Navy’s corporate social responsibility aimed at boosting civil-military relations.

    Garba said: “I expect the people to remember that struggle is not drawing a line and make it look like a kind of crusading spirit. There must be ways of reaching compromises and concessions.

    “And you can only reach those compromises and concessions through dialogue. The government has already given room for dialogue, so let them embrace it. If they embrace it, it is better for the society and Nigeria at large.

    “But if they refuse to go into dialogue, there might be a tendency that that sympathy they are gaining from the people will be lost and it means they are now surrendering the call for peace to chaos and violence which is not good for the society.”

    He noted that the medical mission was one of the key priorities of the Chief of Naval Staff to bring the navy closer to the people within the maritime environment.

    He said the free medical mission was carried out monthly to test and treat health challenges of the people such as malaria, typhoid fever, high blood pressure, diabetes, among others.

    Garba said: “It will be delightful to let you know that today is the sixth time we are offering free medical services to communities in Yenagoa and environs. The CNS is instrumental to the sustenance of this rhapsody every month.

    “Navy is a part and parcel of the community. We feel we are blood brothers. So, one Nigeria is a vital issue to all the military personnel. That is why we feel that we must have a way of reaching the communities though this medical rhapsody and inauguration of projects.”

    In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Etegwe community, King Todumema Geoffrey, said the free medical mission was the first in the history of the community.

    The monarch asked youths to desist from pipeline vandalism and destruction of critical national assets, saying that such tendencies would not bring development to the Niger Delta region.

    “We want to appreciate the Navy for the gesture. I want to warn those involved in blowing up pipelines and other criminal activities to desist from such acts. They are uncalled for. We need development in our region,” he said.

  • Navy floods N’Delta waterways with gunboats 

    Navy floods N’Delta waterways with gunboats 

    The Nigerian Navy, in a three-day operation, paraded all its gunboats, war ships and other movable arsenals on waterways located within the Areas of Responsibility (AoR) of the Central Naval Command (CNC).

    The navy in an apparent move to show its strength dominated the waterways with its presence and sent signals to oil thieves, kidnappers, pirates, pipeline vandals and other maritime criminals of its readiness to deal with them.

    In the operation codenamed, “Exercise Projector”, the navy vowed to intensify its patrols, tackle all forms of economic crimes and fight illegalities in its operational areas in the Niger Delta region.

    The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman regretted that maritime crimes led to significant loss in revenue accruable to the government.

    He also said that the damage of strategic oil installations had impacted negatively on the economy and security.

    But he said the navy was capable of demystifying the creeks and dislodging miscreants from their hideouts.

    “There shall be no hideouts for these miscreants anymore in short time in our operational domains”, he said.

    He noted that the country had continued to look for permanent solutions to the challenges of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta communities.

    The FOC said the concluded exercise was a strategy ordered by the Chief Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas to identify the hideouts of criminals and flush them out.

    He insisted that the exercise would suppress the activities of criminals whose actions had negatively affected the economy and the environment.

    He said the zero tolerance to oil theft the Navy had maintained over time yielded positive results in the oil sector.

    According to him the navy would embarked on regular patrols of waterways in its operational areas to block the entire maritime space to reduce criminalities in the creeks.

    The FOC further said that the command acquired 15 gunboats to enforce to undertake operations in the Niger Delta communities and warned criminals and sea robbers to stay clear from its operational areas.

    He said: “We are going to enforce the patrol of Niger Delta creeks, blocking the entire maritime space to reduce criminal activities and smoke criminals out from their hideouts.

    “The Navy has decided to make the business of crude oil theft and the waterways unattractive for criminals.”

    He, however, appealed for support from community heads, operators of oil companies asking them to report suspicious characters and activities to the command.

  • Navy relieves stress in Yenagoa with band

    Navy relieves stress in Yenagoa with band

    Market women twisted their waists. Drivers in their various vehicles kept shaking their heads. Children rushed out of their classrooms to enjoy the rhythm. Vendors and almost everybody who heard the sound from the naval bands could not help but dance.

    It was, indeed, a bug that bit residents of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State recently.  The Central Naval Command with its headquarters in Yenagoa rolled out their drums to entertain their hosts.

    In a stress-relieving exercise, the band in an open vehicle went round the city trumpeting familiar military and social tunes to the enjoyment of the residents.

    From the Pobeni Camp of the CNC headquarters, through Tombia roundabout, Ekeki Park, Hospital Road, Akenfa and Agudiama, the spirited band went round the city under the supervision of the Director of Music, Nigerian Navy, Lt. Commander Olalekan Anthony Abiodun.

    Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Peter Agba, described the entertaining event as the Navy Band Road/Flag Show.

    Agba, who was represented by the Command Operations Officer, CNC, Commodore Bamidupe Babagbale, said the event was designed to lay emphasis on civil-military relationship.

    He said civil-military synergy was necessary to achieve sustainable peace and security in the country. He insisted that the Navy is a friendly military outfit. He urged the able-bodied Nigerian men and women to join the Nigerian Navy.

    Agba said: “The exercise of today is a little bit of a diversion from the usual Naval operations. We call this ‘roadside show’. It was a directive that was passed from the headquarters through the wisdom of the Chief of Naval Staff to basically create awareness about the existence of the Nigerian Navy in the environment where we are located.

    “The show is also unique because many people are saying they just see people wearing white and white or blue and white. Some are wearing blue and blue, some are wearing camouflage.

    “They do not really know what we are here for. They do not know whether we are in existence or that we are one of those security organizations’ outfit that are in town.

    “With the road show, we were able to go round the town, and show the residents that this is the Navy. We are showcasing the Navy. The objectives are to enlighten the people about the Navy’s social life so that the Nigerian Navy will not be seen as going only to the creeks, to the sea or to the ocean. They should know that we have social life and the public can key into our social programmes.”

    He said that the show was also to prove to the people that the Navy is a peaceful and civil organization which seeks the common happiness of the people.

    Agba stated: “We are in a way trying to encourage and attract young and able-bodied men and women to join the Navy. We feel that it is a way of encouraging them that if they join the Navy, especially now that our forms for recruitment are on sale, they would have wonderful careers.

    “We want them to go to the Internet en masse, key into the programme and come in to see what we are doing. Do not forget that if you join the Navy,  you will definitely sail around the world.”