From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla represented by Rear Admiral C. Onyemaobi has visited Umuopu community, Enugu-Ezike in Igbo-Eze North LGA, Enugu state to assess sites for the establishment of a Naval Welfare College.
The proposed Naval Welfare College is a Nigeria Navy Secondary School which the Naval Force in collaboration with Enugu State Government led by Governor Peter Mbah recently approved its establishment in Umuopu, Enugu-Ezike.
A statement by Ceasar Ikenna Oodo, Senior Special Assistant to the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA noted that the representative of the Chief of Naval Staff was overwhelmed with gratitude upon his reception at the palace of the Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Cyril Ayogu (Okpoko), and he assured the people of the community of their readiness to commence work with full speed once the assessment of the proposed site is completed.
Speaking on behalf of the Naval Chief, Rear Admiral Onyemaobi said : “I thank God for a day like this. I also thank God for the wisdom of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral E I. Ogalla. Gentlemen, it is no longer secret, we have been mandated by the Chief of Naval Staff in collaboration with the Enugu State Government to carry out an assessment on the proposed sites for establishment of Nigeria Navy Secondary School here in Umuopu, Enugu-Ezike. We seek your service and support. Gentlemen, all we need from you people is enabling environment to establish the school”
The Executive Chairman of the Local Government Area, Prince Ejike Itodo on behalf of the Governor of Enugu State, described the project as “unprecedented greatness in Enugu-Ezike”.
He thanked the Naval Chief EI. Ogalla for bringing the establishment that will unarguably boost the overall development in the Local Government and beyond.
“This is a significant milestone and a lifetime legacy that our brother Ogalla is bringing to our place. An indelible developmental mark on the sand of eternity” he said.
He again thanked the Governor of Enugu State for approving the establishment of the project in Enugu-Ezike and also took time to appreciate the Representatives of the Chief of Naval Staff for executing their assignments diligently and painstakingly while assuring them of continual cooperation from the Local Government.
The Traditional Ruler of the community, Igwe Cyril Ayogu (Okpoko) while addressing his visitors, thanked their son E I. Ogalla who is now the Chief of Naval Staff of Nigeria for making Umuopu a place of national interest and recognition.
The traditional ruler also gave him reiterated assurance that Umuopu is solidly behind him and will give him every necessary support and cooperation to establish the project even as he prayed for God’s unceasing protections upon the Naval Chief of Staff and his Representatives.