Blue economy crucial to Nigeria’s economic prosperity — Ogalla 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has stated that Nigeria’s blue economy is essential to the country’s economic growth, especially in light of population increases.

Ogalla made the remarks in Nsukka on Thursday during the 2024 Distinguished Annual Public Lecture hosted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The lecture was titled “Safeguarding Nigeria’s Blue Economy Potentials: The Role of the Nigerian Navy.”

Ogalla explained that the blue economy involves the sustainable utilisation of marine resources, highlighting the importance of harnessing these resources for Nigeria’s economic progress.

“The blue economy is crucial to the economic prosperity of Nigeria, particularly as our population grows and global supply chains become increasingly integrated. However, this growth brings a multidimensional increase in maritime crimes,” Ogalla stated. “The Nigerian Navy has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring a secure environment necessary to safeguard the nation’s blue economy potentials. Achieving this goal requires increased support and collaboration from all stakeholders.”

Despite the blue economy’s vast potential, Ogalla noted that the maritime domain remains vulnerable to threats that pose significant risks to global economic stability.

“The maritime domain remains vulnerable to various threats, which increase shipping costs, disrupt trade, and contribute to economic instability and financial uncertainty,” he said.

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Ogalla expressed appreciation to the faculty for selecting him as the 2024 guest lecturer and pledged ongoing partnership with the university.

Prof. Aloysius Okolie, Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, who chaired the event, commended Ogalla for accepting the invitation and applauded the topic as timely. He linked high rates of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism to the breakdown of social contracts and moral values, attributing these issues to a lack of constructive engagement.

“Present insecurity issues arise partly because some individuals, affected by the breakdown of social contracts, are not engaged in productive ventures,” Okolie remarked. He praised the Faculty of Social Sciences for choosing Ogalla as the guest lecturer and selecting a topic relevant to the nation’s revenue generation needs.

Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu, expressed admiration for the transformations Ogalla has implemented since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu. Chigbu commended the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Chidi Nzeadibe, for securing Ogalla as the guest lecturer and urged support from the Navy for infrastructure development at the university.