NAVY RATES SELF HIGH IN FIGHT AGAINST INSURGENCY, MARITIME SECURITY

 

NAVY RATES SELF HIGH IN FIGHT AGAINST INSURGENCY, MARITIME SECURITY

Nigerian Navy on Monday declared in Lagos that it has given a good account of itself in the continued and joint offensive against insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country as well as securing the nation’s territorial waters.

Chief of Naval Staff CNS, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo dropped the hint while delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Warrant Officers’ conference themed “Optimizing Nigerian Navy Operations through Effective Officers’ Warrant Leadership” held at the Navy Dockyard Victoria Island Lagos.

A visibly elated naval chief informed the audience that the Nigerian Navy would not have been able to achieve the much needed feats in assisting sister security agencies in the war against insurgency and of course ensuring a safer maritime environment without the invaluable input by the Warrant Officers and other ratings whose services he described as invaluable

According to him, “The willingness of warrant officers, serving and retired, to attend the Convention is a declaration of support for advancing the professionalism and human resource capabilities of the naval personnel.

The caliber of officers in attendance has the right mix of knowledge and experience to proffer needed ideas which would in turn; enhance the human resource capacity of the Nigerian Navy as it concerns the Warrant Officers and by extension the entire body of ratings"

Continuing, Vice Admiral Gambo added, “The Service has imbibed the realities of our national imperatives and has applied the most optimal policies and strategies in the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity. The Nigerian Navy has equally tackled the maritime challenges in our Exclusive Economic Zone up to the Gulf of Guinea. To this end, the Navy has every reason to be proud as our collective efforts have sufficiently reduced illegalities such as; crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy, kidnapping, smuggling, militancy and pipeline vandalism in our maritime domain.

It is equally gratifying that we have continued to give a very good account of ourselves in support of the other Services in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, especially in the North East. These successes would not have been possible without an enlightened and professional human resource. The Warrant Officers cadre, play a pivotal role to these successes and it is for their sake we are all gathered here today.”

Speaking on the relevance of the conference, CNS Gambo stressed that, “ The feedback from the implementation of recommendation from previous convention especially, the 2016 maiden edition spurred him to sustain the hosting of the Warrant Officers’ Convention, which has become yearly feature on the Nigerian Navy Schedule of Events. “

Earlier, Chairman of the organizing Committee, Commander Chidi Okpala had told the audience that the purpose of the Convention was to serve as a “veritable platform for intellectual discourse that is aimed at creating an avenue for Warrant Officers in the NN to contribute ideas towards the efficient administration of the Service”; adding, “Warrant Officers remain a critical bridge between the commissioned and non-commissioned ranks respectively.

It is in recognition of this critical role they play as vital links in the human resource hierarchy of the NN that informed the organization of this conference. We need the wealth of experiences of the Warrant Officers to continue to enhance and maintain the operational and administrative efficiency of the Service.

The Warrant Officers therefore represent the Nigerian Navy ethos, core values and standards and are required to ensure that these high standards are maintained among personnel. Hence, the theme selected for this year’s Convention is “Optimizing Nigerian Navy Operations through Effective Warrant Officers’ Leadership”.

It is believed that the forum will indeed avail the NN the opportunity to discuss with the Navy Warrant Officers, Master Warrant Officers and the Warrant Officers on issues that will aid them in the discharge of their duties for efficient administration and operations of the Service” he added.”