The Nigerian Navy has reiterated its commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial waters for economic prosperity in line with its zero tolerance to maritime illegalities.

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, gave the assurance at the graduation ceremony of Senior Officers Course at Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra, Apapa, Lagos, on Friday.

No fewer than 22 officers of the rank of captains and commanders graduated from the four-week Command Level Officers’ Course.

Represented by Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Ibas said that he was delighted to be in the graduation ceremony.

Ibas said his mission statement clearly spelt out the need for well trained organised and highly motivated personnel to fulfil the navy constitutional roles.

He said that to achieve this role, the navy need professional and efficient manpower to defence the country, promote its economic prosperity and well being of the citizens.

The CNS said that this was why Human Resource Management and Administration in the CNS’ Strategic Directive 2015-1, was ordered to achieve the objectives.

Ibas said training must be continually reinvigorated through deliberate innovations to achieve our desired goals.

“In this regard, the command level course provided a veritable means to fast track the delivery of a trained and ready force as the important linkage through quality leadership training to achieve command attributes.

“It is my hope that you have imbibed sufficient knowledge within the past one month to enable further self-development as you set to take command ashore or afloat.”

The CNS said Nigerians and President Muhammadu Buhari had ensured that the navy was well resourced within the limit of available funds bearing in mind contending national needs and priorities.

“The nation has invested in all of us. I enjoin you to strive to justify the huge resources by playing a credible role in the attainment of navy’s mandate.”

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, in his remark, said that the course was a result of deep introspection.

“Our past operations and trainings as well as experiences with lessons learnt served as the main ingredients for the course.

“I have no doubt that the course will fill the gaps in past efforts as well as the renewed drive to meet present and future challenges in operations in our maritime domain.

“Indeed, we are glad to state that we are “developing the next generation of naval leaders.”

Mohammed congratulated the graduating officers, and enjoined them to continue to be good ambassadors of the service.

The Commandant, NNS Quorra, Commodore Francis Isaac, in a welcome address, said the objective of the course was to prepare nominated officers for command level responsibilities.

“This is with a view to improving the quality of command afloat and ashore.

“This can be achieved by equipping the participants with requisite tools to exercise effective command in furtherance of navy’s roles and activities.”

Isaac, however, assured everyone that the CNS was also working hard to ensure improvement in infrastructure, learning environment and welfare, among others.

The Course Director, Capt. Livingstone Izu, said the course was designed to acquaint participants with sufficient knowledge on the structures and management process of activities in the navy.

Izu added that the course was designed to acquaint participants with higher level strategies, plans, policies and directives that provide current direction for operations and management of the navy.

Present at the graduation were senior officers both serving and retired, family members of the participant, among others. (NAN)

•Photo shows Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas.

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