Tag: Emmanuel Ogalla

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, says that underwater resources drive Nigeria’s trade volume by 85 percent.

Ogalla, at the 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in Venice, Italy, listed aquatic species, crude and gas reserves as some of the resources.  

According to a statement by the Director, Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, the CNS presented a paper titled “Preserving the Underwater — the Secure and Sustainable Use of the Underwater” at the event.

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He stated that  Nigeria’s maritime area of interest encompassed internal waters, territorial sea, the Exclusive Economic Zone, and the Gulf of Guinea.

Adams-Aliu quoted the Naval boss as adding that ‘’the Nigerian Navy’s participation in the symposium showcased its progress in eradicating piracy in Nigerian waters   and its removal from the International Maritime Bureau’s list of piracy-prone states.”

Ogalla, according to the statement,  had talks with  Naval heads from the United States and Italy as well as   International Hydrographic Organisation officials on how to enhance maritime security, cooperation, and counter-piracy efforts.

…receives 100 hectares of land  

The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has disclosed that the Nigerian Navy was set to establish a Naval Base and Dockyard in Ogun state to protect critical investments.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said this on Friday, August 9, when he received the Governor of Ogun State Dapo Abiodun at Naval Headquarters, Abuja.

He said Ogun being an industrial hub and strategic state required the presence of the Nigerian Navy to secure investments.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said: “Ogun State is strategic in the nation and it is strategic with us in our activities which cannot be effectively done with the collaboration of key stakeholders like the state. 

“We listen to the proposal of the governor has towards developing state all geared towards promoting economic activities. He proposed molecular LNG and molecular blue seaport and also the development of the ‘Tongaji’ Island, these are investments that will attract a number of US dollars of up to N10bn into Nigerian economy. These investments can’t be without being provided security. 

“Our duty is make sure with fulfil this aspect which is provision of security. We’ll move without waiting to establish these facilities, we make steps towards identifying suitable locations for this Naval Base. 

“The committee has done a good job choosing the location which is close to these strategic investments that are coming into Ogun state.”

The Naval chiefs assured that the Nigerian Navy high command will do what is necessary to ensure the Base comes alive in the next few days.

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The Naval chief, however, urged the Ogun State governor to provide the Service with the Certificate of Occupancy in order for the team to return to site and commence preparations.

He said: “I’m glad that you have already allocated 100 hectares of land. I want to assure the governor that we’ll do what is necessary as speedily as possible to make sure that this objective is actualised”

Earlier, Governor Abiodun said he was at the Naval Headquarters to deepen collaboration between the Nigerian Navy and the Ogun State government.

He said: ” Only about three or four months ago, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited came and declared that Ogun State had now qualified for the frontier status.

“In no distant time ,Ogun will be declared an oil producing State hence,we need a Naval Base and Dockyard to protect facilities”

He said the establishment of the Naval base would provide security to the critical investigations.

The governor presented documents allocating 100 hectares of land to the Navy for the establishment of a Naval Base and dockyard.