Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has expressed the appreciation of the Nigerian people to the Nigerian Navy for their commitment and invaluable contributions to the country, acknowledging that their efforts have created a safe and secure environment, allowing citizens to go about their daily lives with confidence and gratitude.
The Governor made this remark on Saturday During the 2024 Nigerian Navy Week Celebration Ceremonial Sunset/ Reunion Dinner, held at the Parade Ground of the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat stated that the entire country owes the Nigerian Navy a debt of gratitude for their invaluable services to the country, which includes protecting the waterways, maritime infrastructure, preventing piracy at the sea and oil theft on the waterways.
Sanwo-Olu also expressed his appreciation to the Naval for the services particularly to the state, saying “ On behalf of the people of Lagos State, I want to say we owe you a lot of gratitude and we pray that God will continue to be with you”.
Speaking further, he noted that the retired Naval Officers were also appreciated for their involvement and encouragement to the serving officers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla
noted that the Nigerian Navy is very proud of the tremendous achievement it has made over the 68 years of its establishment.
He added that “The Nigerian Navy has grown to be the 5th largest navy in Africa, we have grown to the extent that we have over 48 capital ships, and at all times, more than 70 per cent of this ships are operational”.
While highlighting the achievements made by the Nigerian Navy in the last 68 years, Vice Admiral Ogalla stated that the Nigerian Navy has acquired fleets of helicopters, air assets which includes Omans area assets which has contributed to the institution’s fleets readiness.
The Chief of Naval Staff disclosed that the Nigerian Navy has the most sophisticated maritime domain awareness capability in the world, adding that “we are also among the only five navies in the world that have a maritime domain awareness that incorporates coastal and over the horizon readers”.
He noted that the Nigerian Navy has been able to adequately face the challenges they encounter and meet the services which it was established for.
Reeling the achievement made by the Navy, the Chief of Naval Staff said that within the past eleven months, the Navy has reduced the incidences of Oil theft and other criminalities in the Nigerian waters to the barest minimum.
According to the Vice Admiral, “prior to 2022, Nigeria was listed as one of the piracy prone countries in the world, but with the collaboration of the Nigerian Airforce, Army and Police, we have been able to eliminate piracy in Nigerian waters to the extent that the International Maritime Bureau has delisted Nigeria from the list of piracy prone nations.”
He however explained that the Sunset Dinner usually marks the end of the naval year which the entire navy are proud to celebrate.
