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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has said that the Nigerian Navy is actively advancing a collective, intelligence-driven approach to combat maritime crimes such as piracy, crude oil theft and illegal trafficking.
The navy chief stated this yesterday during an interdenominational church service held at the Nigerian Navy Protestant Church, Navy Barracks, Effurun, Delta State, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
The CNS, who was represented at the church thanksgiving by Commodore Shehu Tasiu, Commander NNS Delta, said that the navy is heavily scaling up multi-agency cooperation and leveraging advanced surveillance.
In a goodwill message read by Navy Captain Daniel Beecroft, Executive Officer, NNS Delta, on behalf of Commodore Shehu Tasiu, the CNS urged personnel to uphold greater professionalism, discipline and selfless service.
He said that the navy is transitioning from reactive patrols to deploying high-tech surveillance systems and assets like Falcon Eye to monitor the Gulf of Guinea in real time.
“Accordingly, the significant reduction in maritime insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea and Nigeria’s territorial waters is a testament to the resilience, courage and dedication of our personnel.”
On inter-agency synergy, he expressed the commitment of the Navy to closer intelligence-sharing and synchronised operations with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
He acknowledged the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has enabled the acquisition of modern platforms and improved personnel welfare.
Abbas urged officers and ratings to remain steadfast and dedicated to protecting the nation’s maritime domain to ensure economic prosperity.
The naval chief paid glowing tribute to fallen naval personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for all members of the Armed Forces currently deployed in various security operations across the country.
“As we continue to confront insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other security threats in defence of our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, may Almighty God continue to protect, strengthen and grant them success in all operations,” he added.
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The service was officiated by the base chaplains, Rev. Fr (Lt) Emmanuel Michael Uzochukwu (Roman Catholic) and Rev. (Lt) Michael Efoli (Protestant).
In a sermon taken from Exodus 17:8–16, titled “Secret of Sustaining Our Collective Victory and Prosperity”, Rev. (Lt) Michael Efoli said that the 70th anniversary of the navy’s existence calls for sober reflection on “our collective achievement and prosperity”.
“God has been on our side; hence, we are here to thank Him. The Bible passage is a reminder that victory is collective, and, as an organisation, we must continue to fight crime collectively, and individually, we’re winners.
“Life is a journey, and in this journey, battles are inevitable. The Nigerian Navy is on a journey. It will keep surviving, fighting and winning battles from generation to generation,” he said.
He urged officers and men of the Navy to do their collective best to sustain the commitment to fighting maritime crimes and securing the nation’s assets.
He urged officers to provide the loyalty needed to sustain collective victory and prosperity for the Nigerian Navy.
He also urged policymakers, officers and men of the navy to develop a working strategy to win every operation, saying that the lifting of the hands of Moses in the Bible reading was a “strategy for victory”.
The cleric further urged them to develop a support system to achieve their set goals, adding that victory and prosperity can only be achieved when we depend on God.
He said that God understands the struggles and challenges that the Nigerian Navy faces; hence, He should be trusted for the victories and prosperity recorded each day.
The clergyman urged navy personnel to build strategic relationships with the communities they serve and their home states, advising: “Do not distance yourself from the people and do not use your vantage position to oppress the people.”
Photo 1: Naval personnel of NNS Delta led the interdenominational church thanksgiving by Navy Captain Daniel Beecroft, Executive Officer, NNS Delta, who represented the Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Shehu Tasiu, on Sunday.
Photo 2: Naval personnel filing out for the church Thanksgiving at the Nigerian Navy Protestant Church, Navy Barracks Effurun, Delta State, to mark the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
