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By Philip Nwosu
No fewer than 800 officers and men of the Nigerian Navy participated in a first-quarter route march designed to exercise troops in the Lagos area and assess their readiness to discharge their duties as naval personnel.
The naval personnel expressed their readiness to carry out duties as enshrined in the Constitution after completing a 10-kilometre route march.
Speaking at the end of the exercise, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, praised the officers and men for their enthusiasm and high morale, describing the drill as more than just a physical activity.
Admiral Mustapha, who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nnamdi Ekwom, said, “Our loyalty will remain unwavering. Our determination to work will remain unshakeable,” urging personnel to remain steadfast in their duties.
The FOC noted that the route march serves not only as a test of physical fitness and endurance but also as a measure of discipline, teamwork, and unity, which he said are the core values that define the Nigerian Navy.
According to him, the exercise reinforces the service’s foundational principles of professionalism, integrity, and teamwork, stressing that no personnel completes such a task in isolation.
“We left here as a team and returned stronger as a team,” he said, highlighting the spirit of camaraderie displayed by participants who encouraged one another throughout the march.
He further observed that the exercise demonstrated the adaptability of naval personnel, noting their capacity to effectively carry out both maritime and land-based operations.
He commended all participants for what he described as a successful and impactful event.
Looking ahead, he disclosed that the next phase of training exercises would likely coincide with activities marking the Navy’s 70th anniversary, describing the period as one that demands renewed commitment and vigilance.
He urged personnel to continue training diligently, remain alert, and uphold the highest standards of the profession at all times.
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The event concluded with a message of encouragement to the troops, wishing them “fair winds and following seas” as they continue to serve the nation.
Similarly, the Navy rated the route march exercise in Lagos as “above average”, citing high morale, coordination, and peaceful conduct among participating personnel.
The Command Sports Officer, Navy Captain Abdulhamid Umaru, said the drill recorded an impressive turnout and discipline among officers and men.
“Our loyalty will remain unwavering. Our determination to work will remain unshakeable,” he reiterated, underscoring the commitment of personnel to the service’s core values.
According to him, the exercise demonstrated strong morale and professionalism among participants.
“The exercise is rated above average. You can see the morale among personnel, and you have seen how it was conducted very peacefully and in a coordinated manner,” he said.
Umaru disclosed that no fewer than 800 personnel drawn from various naval units within Lagos participated in the exercise.
“We have up to 800 personnel in the Lagos area who participated—officers and men,” he stated, expressing optimism that future exercises would attract even higher participation.
He explained that the Lagos-based exercise brought together units under the Western Naval Command as well as those from the Naval Doctrine Command, all converging in the state for the coordinated drill.
According to him, other naval units outside Lagos, particularly those not under the Western Naval Command, simultaneously conducted similar exercises in their respective locations across the country.
The Command Sports Officer further noted that participation is expected to increase in the next quarter, especially as the service intensifies preparations ahead of its forthcoming 70th anniversary.
The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Navy to enhance operational readiness, strengthen teamwork, and maintain high standards of discipline among its personnel.
