In a demonstration of legislative oversight and national security collaboration, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Navy, Distinguished Senator Olugbenga Daniel, led members of the Committee on an official visit to the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters in Calabar on Monday, 20th October 2025.
The visit formed part of the Committee’s ongoing assessment of naval bases, ships and other operational facilities across the Eastern flank of Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
The delegation, received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral KC Ezete, alongside the Fleet Commander and other senior officers, was briefed on the Command’s operational activities and achievements during a presentation at the Command’s Conference Room.
Senator Daniel commended the Command for its commendable record in securing Nigeria’s maritime environment, highlighting successes in rescuing kidnapped passengers and thwarting several criminal operations along the nation’s waterways. He emphasized that such efforts continue to reinforce public confidence in the Navy’s capacity to protect national interests.
While acknowledging challenges such as inadequate accommodation, dilapidated jetties and fuel shortages, the Senator urged proactive measures to enhance operational efficiency. He recommended the deployment of drones and helicopters to strengthen surveillance and rapid response capabilities, as well as the expansion of CCTV monitoring systems to ensure transparency in fuel management and overall operational security.
He further encouraged the Command to compile and submit a prioritized list of its needs for inclusion in the Committee’s upcoming legislative agenda.
Supporting the Chairman’s remarks, Senator Kelvin Chukwu commended the Command’s professionalism and called for deeper inter-agency collaboration to consolidate gains made in maritime safety and security.
In his response, Rear Admiral Ezete expressed gratitude to the Committee for its visit and ongoing support. He revealed that CCTV systems have already been installed on board naval vessels as part of internal accountability reforms and reaffirmed that the acquisition of drones and helicopters remains a key operational priority for the Eastern Naval Command.
The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and a group photograph, symbolizing mutual respect between the legislature and the military in their shared commitment to national security and maritime stability.
