By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Navy Board has approved the promotion of 146 senior officers to various ranks in the Nigerian Navy.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Friday in Abuja.

The breakdown of the promotions released showed that 24 Commodores were promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, 26 Captains were elevated to the rank of Commodore while 96 Commanders were promoted to the rank of Captain.

The newly promoted Rear Admirals are Ibrahim Mohammed-Katsina, Suleman Dahun, Gideon Kachim, Abolade Ogunleye, Seminu Adepegba, Bob-Manuel Effiong, Yusuf Idris, Danjum Ndanusa, Ifeanyi Okpala, Mushin Abba, Victor Choji and Vincent Gbaranwi.

Others are Madumom Ide, Desmond Igbo, Kolawale Oguntuga, Adedokun Siyanbade, Raheem Taofeek, Kabiru Tanimu, Bai Sabo, Jonathan Ajodo, Paul Efe-Oghene, Musliu Yussuff, Abiodun Alade and Samuel Innocent Ngatuwa.

The newly promoted Commodores, according to Adams-Aliu, are Mohammed Abdullahi, Kabir Rabiu, Bashir Abubakar, Olayinka Aliu, Uche Aneke, Temitope Adeshola Bamidele, Ekuma Ekuma, Nsikan Friday, Ibrahim Gwaska, Maksum Mohammed, Mutalib Raji, Murtala Rogo, Umar Saidu, Aminu Shehu and Mohammed Shettima.

They also include Jelani Umar, Olusegun Awofe, Manga Danjuma, Mohammed Jibrilla, Adamu Mohammed, Kelechi Ogbonna, Makanjuola Olowu, Saidu Sulaiman, Yahaya Muhammed, Sylvester Ogogo and Babatunde Quadri.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has on behalf of officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy, congratulated the newly promoted senior officers and their families.

Ogalla charged them to rededicate themselves to their responsibilities and remain loyal to the nation and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (NAN)