Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has charged officers and ratings of the Navy to continue to be professional, dedicated, and unflinchingly support the nation’s democratic and constitutes authorities, urging them not to engage in any act that could bring the Service into disrepute.

Addressing the personnel at the end of the second quarter route march on Saturday, Abbas also charged them to diligently perform their duties, respect human rights and be law abiding, as well as maintain cordial relationship with the the citizens.

Represented by the Chief of Information and Communication Technology, Rear Admiral Samiu Adepegba, Abbas said, “Moreso, your duty to defend the territorial integrity of our fatherland will be meaningless if the Nigerian populace is not enjoying harmonious relationship with the Armed Forces.”

The CNS said the route march was organised to prepare them to be mentally and physically fit and develop their physical and mental alertness to meet the dynamics of contemporary security operations as well as foster esprit de Corps with other security agencies.

He said: “The Nigerian Navy is primarily responsible for the protection of the nation’s maritime domain and also a major contributor to the Gulf of Guinea maritime security arrangement. The Service is also a major participant in Internal Security duties all over the Country.

“This makes it imperative for us to be mentally and physically fit at all times. Thus, exercises and physical training remains the bedrock of Naval personnel’s daily mental and physical readiness for sea and ashore duties. Notably, the commitment of the Nigerian Navy towards enhancing mental and physical fitness has yielded dividends as witnessed with the sterling contributions to national security, peace and prosperity.”

According to him, it is in recognition of this fact and the desire of the Service to keep the personnel physically fit that the Route March amongst other physical fitness exercises are sustained in the Nigerian Navy Schedule of Events.

He assured that the Navy would continue to meet up with its constitutional commitments in collaboration with other security agencies in Nigeria to improve national security.

Abbas thanked personnel of other security agencies and stakeholders who participants in the exercise.