Tag: Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has said the navy’s anniversary celebration was a testament to 69 years of loyal service, sacrifice and commitment to peace and prosperity.

He said this at the Golf Kitty on Friday evening at Navy Town, Ojo, as part of activities for this year’s Navy Week celebration.

Admiral Ogalla who teed off the tournament, urged officers and ratings to remain steadfast, execute their tasks with unity of purpose, unwavering dedication and pride in naval heritage.

He also pledged to give the gold club a befitting complex in line with the ongoing infrastructural upgrade of accommodation and facilities across naval barracks.

According to the CNS, golfing 

mirrors the values that define a good naval officer such as patience, strategy, precision, integrity, and composure under pressure. 

He said the tournament represented one of several ways the Navy was building bridges with the society, adding that golfing was a platform for friendship and cultural exchanges across the country.

 “As we celebrate this year’s anniversary, I urge us to utilise the festive atmosphere to commemorate our milestones and rededicate ourselves towards redoubling our efforts for a credible and efficient Navy capable of national security imperatives.

“Over the years, the Nigerian Navy has grown into a formidable maritime force; well-trained, professional, and highly capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests and contributing to global maritime security. 

“As we continue to accomplish these giant strides, we will ensure adequate training and improve welfare packages for our personnel. Moreso,The Nigerian Navy will continue to encourage active participation in sporting activities, locally and internationally. 

“Beyond our core operational duties, we recognize the importance of wellness, esprit de corps, and leadership development. Sporting events like this tournament, play an integral role in promoting our core value of professionalism, integrity and team work. 

“They also help us relax, connect, and renew the bonds that unite us as one force and one family,” Ogalla said. 

The Nation reports that the CNS also inaugurated a transit accommodation for Naval Ordnance Depot (NOD) Ratings, pledging to provide more facilities to address accommodation deficit in the service.

Admiral Superintendent NOD, Rear Admiral Livingston Izu, said the renovation was another testament of the CNS’ commitment to improving the welfare of personnel.

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He said: “The facility was a 10-room structure but now remodelled to 11-room apartment for junior rates serving in the Depot. The Chief of the Naval Staff graciously approved resources for the renovation and upgrading of the building to address accommodation challenge of NOD ratings. 

“Series of works including roofing, tiling, plumbing, painting, electrical works, borehole system, as well as provision of basic, were carried out through direct labour to make the structure conducive.

“The completion of the works and its commissioning  will further boost the morale and productivity of NOD ratings for greater service delivery and operational efficiency.”

The ASNOD appreciated the CNS’ commitment to executing projects that positively impact personnel welfare and productivity, adding that such initiatives would ensure the provision of best resources that would motivate personnel towards service for improved national security.

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, has reiterated the need for professionalism, integrity, and teamwork among personnel.

He also called for the redoubling of efforts by all officers and ratings to facilitate the delivery of the mandate of the Nigerian Navy (NN).

Ogalla made the call during the socio-cultural day organized by the Naval Unit in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Noting that the service’s performance last year was commendable and contributed significantly to the reduction of criminality especially within the maritime domain, Ogalla urged the personnel to do more this year.

“I use this opportunity to challenge all officers, ratings, and civilian staff of the NN to redouble our efforts to achieve the Navy’s constitutional mandate, which is in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I urge us to draw strength and resilience from Nigeria’s diverse culture and heritage, elements of which are on display today. I also reiterate that we must be guided by the core values of the Nigerian Navy, which are integrity professionalism, and teamwork,” he said.

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Commending the Commander of the unit, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, for organising the event, the CNS appreciated sister services, other security agencies, and all the cultural troupes that participated.

Speaking on the theme “strengthening inter-agency collaboration for enhanced national security through sociocultural harmony,” Ogalla noted that the event was designed for troops to celebrate their operational successes in a cultural setting.

“Today’s event is an opportunity for the Nigerian Navy community in the Abuja Area to celebrate the outgone operational year in an atmosphere that reflects the rich cultural diversity of Nigeria.

“For the Nigerian Navy, the year 2024 was eventful and productive. We started the year with the launch of Operation DELTA SANITY on 10

January 2024. Under the Operation, a total of 215 suspects and 26 vessels were arrested while 468 Illegal Refinery Sites (IRS) were deactivated.

“Also, about 6.5 million litres of stolen crude oil and 7 million litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil were seized and appropriately handled.

Furthermore, 361 wooden boats, 1,107 dugout pits, and 279 storage tanks were deactivated.

“These efforts have not been in vain as they contributed to an increase in National Crude Oil Production from 1.418 million bpd in December 2023 to 1.8 million bpd in December 2024. This represented about a 20 percent increase in Nigeria’s production.

“We have created an enabling environment for the operationalisation of various marginal fields and oil and gas infrastructure; increased shipping activities and port development, as well as food security.       

“During the year, the NN’s inventory was boosted with the acquisition of ships, boats, and aircraft. Specifically, NNS ZUR, NNS CHALLAWA, and NNS OCHUZO were inducted into the fleet. Additionally, the NN Air Arm inducted 3 Leonardo A109 TREKKA helicopters. Several boats joined the fleet and have been deployed to operational bases for maritime security duties. These platforms have enhanced the operational capacity of the NN to meet its constitutional mandate,” he said.

Continuing, Ogalla said the Navy strengthened joint and interagency cooperation by increasing its participation in DHQ-led operations in all six geopolitical zones such as Operations FANSAN YAMMA, HADIN KAI, and WHIRL STROKE among others, adding that the service broadened its collaboration with other services, security agencies, strategic Ministries Departments and Agencies, and the private sector, which fostered synergy in national security efforts.

In his goodwill message, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the celebration of the past operational year was essential to reappraising successes and recalibrating for improved performance in the current year, 2025.

Wike, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Internal Security Affairs, Sunday Olubiyi, said the past year witnessed accelerated infrastructural development in the FCT, including construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, and health centres; increased revenue generation and improved security, amongst others.

He said cultural harmony must be promoted in the FCT to foster national unity and enhance national security.

“This would better position the nation’s security agencies to work together to eradicate the menace of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and armed robbery amongst others,” he said.

Assuring his commitment to delivering sustained infrastructural development across the urban, suburban, and rural areas of the FCT, in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Wike recognized the importance of security to achieve development.

“Therefore, I want to appreciate the contributions of the Nigerian Navy, alongside other security agencies, in ensuring security in the FCT. This has helped to reinforce our collective effort towards building a secured, prosperous, unified, and progressive FCT,” he said.

In his welcome remarks, Commodore Oladipo noted that the socio-cultural might evolve from an age-long military regimental event called West African Social Activity (WASA) aimed at celebrating officers, soldiers, and their families at the end of a rigorous operational year.

He said the Naval Unit in Abuja conducted joint clearance operations around the FCT with other security agencies; increased operational, administrative, and logistics support to Naval Headquarters; furnished and allocated new residential accommodation to personnel as well as developed some Base infrastructure.

“These modest achievements align with the Vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff which is “a highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes within Nigeria’s maritime domain and the littorals including land-based engagements in fulfillment of Nigeria’s national interest”.