2023: Navy boss warns officers to stay away from partisan politics

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo has warned Officers and Ratings under his watch to stay away from partisan politics and desist from unprofessional conduct that damaged the image of the Nigerian Navy during the 2023 elections.

Vice Admiral Gambo gave the warning while speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Senior Naval Officers Quarters at the Katampe Estate Extension in Abuja at the weekend.

According to the naval boss, “We must all uphold the core values of the Service as activities of 2023 general elections commences. The Nigerian Navy will not condole any unprofessional act that will bring disrepute to the Service”.

Speaking on the accommodation, he said, “This project is another significant milestone amongst very many initiatives in the comprehensive transformation plan articulated to guide the Nigerian Navy towards effective discharge of its constitutional mandate.

“It is particularly significant because I conceptualized this Estate for Senior Officers in 2019 when I was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Space Administration.

“The structure then was at a reasonable price but due to other competing demands, the Administration was unable to effect procurement.

“I was actually not pleased for the Agency’s inability to acquire the property, considering the price and particularly the serene location befitting for officers.

“By 2021, when I took over as the Chief of the Naval Staff, the price for this particular Mini Estate had almost tripled from the previous price of 2019. However, the Nigerian Navy was able to negotiate and eventually procured the Estate at a very reasonable price.

“Sequel to the procurement, the buildings were completed with a Gymnasium and swimming pool to improve the aesthetic.

“Here we are today to commission the project as one of the Nigerian Navy’s properties for senior officers. I am certainly pleased that the Nigerian Navy now owns this edifice. It’s like a dream come true.

“I am also optimistic that the acquisition of this property that gathered will further ameliorate accommodation challenges in the Federal Capital Territory as the Nigerian Navy under my watch remains focused on executing its policies towards ensuring equitable infrastructural development.

“The overall aspiration is to motivate personnel towards the enhanced and collective capacity to effectively deliver on our mandate

“It is in this regard that I will like to again remind us all to sustain achievements thus recorded in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and economic sabotage for the economic prosperity of our dear nation.

“As a Service, we are indebted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous and uncommon support to the Nigerian Navy, which has manifested in these massive strides in every sphere of the Nigerian Navy’s endeavours.

“We cannot but continue to deliver on our mandates as a way of appreciation for this tremendous support. I will also use this opportunity to appreciate the Minster of Defence for his sustained guidance at all times.”

The CNS congratulated the first occupants of the edifice.

“To take absolute ownership of the project as well as inculcate deliberate positive maintenance culture so that the huge legacy project will serve future generations of senior officers”.

In his welcome address, the Commander, Naval Unit, Abuja, Commodore Abdulrahman Muhammed expressed gratitude to the Chief of Naval Staff for providing the accommodation for senior officers to ease accommodation challenges in the FCT.

He said, “Today, we are witnessing another milestone in the fulfilment of Nigerian Navy efforts towards providing adequate accommodation for its personnel. As we gather to commission these 10 units of senior officers’ accommodation for use by Senior Officers.

“I feel a strong sense of gratitude for the noble support by the Chief of the Naval Staff. I am positive that this kind gesture will not only help to create a sense of stability to senior officers appointed to NHQ Abuja but will also ease the pressure and nightmare that the Naval Unit Abuja, under the direction of the Chief of Administration, has to face in ensuring that all NN personnel serving in the FCT are adequately accommodated”.