The Chief of Naval Staff (CNC), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has called for spiritual solutions to augment existing efforts in tackling Nigeria’s security issues.
He emphasised that tackling insurgency, terrorism, and other threats requires a whole-of-society approach, which includes spiritual solutions.
Vice Admiral Ogalla said this when he inaugurated places of worship at the Navy town, Asokoro, Abuja.
Ogalla stated that the Nigerian Navy recognises the importance of spiritual upliftment for its personnel, emphasising the need to support places of worship for both Christians and Muslims.
He said, “We recognise that the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of irregular threats that are facing us today are challenges that require a whole of society approach.
“So, while we look for military solutions, we also believe that the spiritual solution is part of what we need to be able to surmount them.
“And these places of worship are key to shaping the minds and shaping the characters of not only our personnel but other Nigerians who use it.”
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The Navy’s Chief called for a change in attitude and heightened commitment among personnel to combat insurgency and terrorism, which he identified as major national threats.
He encouraged officers, ratings, and their families to utilise the centres for spiritual upliftment.
The Commander, Naval Unit, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said the three newly completed places of worship include the Catholic Church, the Church of Redemption, and the Central Mosque.
Oladipo said the worship centre would serve personnel and residents of Navy Town, Admiralty and Lakeview Estates and environs, as well as serve as functional nerve centres of the Directorate of Naval Chaplain Services and the Directorate of Islamic Affairs.
He said that the construction works commenced on June 17, 2019 and were completed in April 2025.
According to him, the churches each have the capacity of about 1,000 worshipers with an upper gallery and conference hall, while the mosque has an estimated capacity of 1,200 worshipers, comprising male and female sections.
The Director of Chaplaincy, Roman Catholic Church, Naval Headquarters, Navy Capt. Richmond Diala thanked the naval chief for ensuring the completion of the projects.
He said the vision, generosity and faith of the CNS had not just built structures, but sanctuaries that would bless generations.
He prayed for God’s guidance, success, safety and joy, as the service continued its 69th anniversary celebration.