The Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi(rtd) has extolled the Nigerian Navy for policing the maritime boundaries of Nigeria effectively.
Speaking at the passing out parade and commissioning ceremony for 156 cadets of Special Duty Pre-Commission Training (SDPCT) 22, which was held at the Nigerian Naval College, Onne, Rivers State, on Saturday, the Minister commended the Navy for containing piracy in Nigerian waters to the extent that Nigeria was delisted from countries their waters suffer from piracy.
The Minister who was represented by the Chief of the Naval staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said the effective policing of the maritime domain has also helped in the reduction of crude oil theft.
”Our nation has been challenged by asymmetric and emerging security threats necessitating intensive operational and security engagements of the Armed Forces across different theatres of operation.
”However, the good news is that there have been tremendous successes recorded in the last few years. In this regard, I am glad to observed that in addition to the substantial support to sister Services in some of these theatres, the Nigerian Navy has continued to sustain maritime security operations within the nation’s maritime domain.
”Expectedly, notable results are reduction in piracy, which culminated into delisting Nigeria from International Maritime Organisation’s list of piracy prone countries as well as reduction in crude oil theft and losses with exponential rise in daily crude oil production to about 1.7 million barrels.
” Certainly, economic benefits of these feats by the Nigerian Navy are huge and commendable. These could not have been achieved without the zeal, dedication and patriotic commitments from personnel who displayed uncommon and appropriate attitude, knowledge and skills acquired through pragmatic training from naval training institutions like you have all successfully gone through at this prestigious College”, he said.
Speaking further the Minister charged the newly commisssioned officer cadets to consider national interest above personal interest.
He further charged them to always remain subordinate and submissive to civilian administration.
The Minister told them that in this political transition that they were expected to be deployed to help in maintaining law and order and counter insurgency.
”Obviously, I am convinced that you have acquired rudiments necessary to integrate into this all-important task.
” I therefore urge you to apply acquired rudiments appropriately in the discharge of your duties in support of national security.
”Certainly, the 2023 General Elections have just been concluded, but deployments at strategic locations are still in place all over the nation. Some of you will be involved in these deployments to lead troops as part of Military Aid to Civil Authority, you must be professional and avoid acts that will put the Armed Forces in disrepute”.
Maj-Gen Magashi(rtd) said with the investment in them in training by the federal government, they are expected to show the professional skills acquired in the course of their training to make the nation proud.
Also speaking at the unveiling of the new ranks ceremony, the Commandant of the Nigerian Naval College, Onne, Commodore Pakiribo Anabraba, said that the college was saddled with the responsibility of training the cadets to meet to international best practices in the skills of the cadets.
He said that the training was to imbibe in them the spirit of courage, discipline and combat effectiveness.
He also said from the inception of the Special Duty Pre- Commission Training(SDPCT) SD 90 in April 1990, that only this batch of cadets has graduated more than other batches.
This, he said, was attributable to their dedication and discipline.
He noted that the college has maintained good military relationship with civilians in the state, including sister services.
The commandant said the calibre of training receive by the cadets will reflect in their performance of national duties.
He commended the Chief of the Naval Staff for his immense support to the college and wished the cadets well in their endeavours.
The highlight of the event was the conferment of Presidential commission in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant into the Nigerian Navy, presentation of parchment of commission/souvenir and administration of oath of allegiance on the newly commissioned officers by the Special Guest of Honour, Maj-Gen Bashir Magashi(rtd).
At the event, some of the cadets were given special awards. Cadet AK Idoko won the Chief of Naval staff award for overall best SDPCT 2022 cadet followed by Cadet OJ Obende who won the Best in cross country for SDPCT22 and Chief of Policy and Plans awards for 2nd best SDPCT 2022 cadet.
Others were Cadet M Shehu, Chief of Training and Operations best male in combat shooting, Cadet HA Collins, Chief of Training and Operations best female in combat shooting and Cadet S Dikiyai, Navy Secretary award for best SDPCT 2022 Cadet in Leadership and Oragnization.
Among the activities at the occasion were March past in slow and quick time/parade display, inspection of the parade and so on.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion include; principal staff officers, commanding , senior officers both serving and retired, royal fathers, eminent personalities, officers, ratings, relations and family members of the officer cadets
