Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has officially taken over as Nigeria’s 24th Chief of Naval Staff, succeeding Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo after his tenure of over two years. The handover ceremony took place on Friday at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja, where Admiral Gambo handed over the reins of the Navy to Admiral Ogalla.
Admiral Ogalla, in his inaugural address, pledged to prioritize efforts to combat crude oil theft and put an end to illegal refining activities that pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s maritime security and economic stability. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the Navy, including illegal fishing, piracy, sea robbery, trafficking, and other maritime crimes, and emphasized the commitment to tackle these issues head-on.
Expressing his gratitude to Admiral Gambo and other former service chiefs for their contributions to national security, Admiral Ogalla stressed the importance of unwavering commitment, professionalism, innovation, and teamwork in transforming Nigeria’s maritime domain into a safer and more prosperous space for socio-economic activities to thrive.
During his farewell speech, Admiral Gambo expressed confidence in his successor, stating that he was leaving the Navy in the hands of a capable Chief of Naval Staff. He also highlighted the achievements of his tenure, including the successful operations against piracy, illegal refinery proliferation, crude oil theft, and violent crimes in the nation’s maritime domain.
Admiral Ogalla, in his closing remarks, called for the cooperation of all personnel in ensuring the success of the Nigerian Navy. He expressed confidence in their ability to overcome challenges, stating that together they would write a new chapter in the history of the Nigerian Navy and build a Navy that the nation can be proud of.
The assumption of Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla as the new Chief of Naval Staff signals a new phase for the Nigerian Navy as it tackles maritime security threats and works towards a safer and more prosperous maritime domain.
Sources: von.gov.ng | von.gov.ng | von.gov.ng | von.gov.ng
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