The Nigerian Navy, through the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, says it is relocating the Naval Training Command headquarters from Lagos to Onne in Rivers State.
This was revealed when the CONS, in the company of high ranking officers of Navy High Command paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday.
“The purpose of my coming here today is three-fold. The first is to inform His Excellency that on Saturday, we are graduating a set of former civilians who have been trained at our Basic Training School, Onne, and are graduating to join the ranks of the Nigerian Navy as ratings in order to beef up our strength,” he said.
“The second reason is to first appreciate the governor and the entire Rivers State government for the schools they donated to us: the Ambassador Nne Krukrubo Model Secondary School at Eleme in the Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area.
“We also want to use this opportunity to inform His Excellency that following that donation, and based on our strategic plan of moving our facilities to areas where we have enough space to be able to carry out our duties, we have renovated the school at Eleme.’’
“We are happy to report, today, that the erstwhile location of headquarters of Naval Training Command, Lagos, is moving to that particular school location in Eleme, tomorrow.”
He took the chance to inform the Rivers Governor of the achievements of the Force under him.
“I am here today to report Sir, that, with Operation Delta Sanity launched in January 2024, we have been very successful, and within the period, we have recorded tremendous successes and achievements.
“Over 14 large crude-carrying vessels have been arrested within that period. Most of them are at various levels of investigation. We have also arrested several barges and other companies and organisations that are involved in oil theft.
“As a result of the operations, we are happy to report that there have been tremendous improvements in terms of security in the maritime environment,” Ogalla added.
Governor Fubara responded by encouraging the Nigerian Navy to be resolute in its fight against all sorts of economic sabotage, notably crude oil theft in the country’s waterways.
“We are working together; we will give you all the support to make sure that you deliver on your mandate.
“And what is the mandate? You were appointed at a time when our country is facing a lot of crises, and your duty, among others, includes to reduce, if it cannot be eliminated completely, the criminalities perpetrated on the waterways; oil theft and others.
“And I am happy that they are positive and commendable records of achievement so far, in the course of your tenure,” he stated.
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