Find workable solutions to maritime challenges - CNS

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, has charged newly-promoted Rear Admirals to use their new ranks to proffer solutions to the challenges bedevilling the Nigeria’s maritime domain.

Ibas gave the charge after decorating the 10 senior officers recently elevated to the rank of Rear Admirals.

The new Admirals are D. Dogonyaro, Commandant Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology, Kachia; T. Imam, Director of Policy, Naval Headquarters and R. Mohammed, Director of Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve, Naval Headquarters.

Others are I. Yusuf, Director of Personnel Release, Naval Headquarters; W. Kayode, Director Navigation/Positioning and Timing, Defence Space Administration and O. Eyo, Commander, NNS BEECROFT, S. Agada, Directing Staff, NDC; E. Aneke, Naval Drafting; M. Bashir, Directing Staff, NDC and A. Ayobanjo, Deputy Commandant, Naval War College.

The Naval Chief reminded the officers that promotion comes with greater expectation and responsibilities.

He noted that the senior officers, before their new ranks, had been at the decision-making cadre of the armed forces of Nigeria.

Ibas said they now needed to perfect the decisions to further distinguish themselves in finding workable solutions to all maritime challenges confronting the Navy and other social problems facing the nation.

“It is the only way for you to give back to the society that has been so kind to you and justify the confidence of the system that has adjudged you worthy of this recognition,” he said.

He described the promotion as well-deserved, adding that the officers had stayed true to their professional demands and weathered the storm of career progression.

“It is therefore, a fitting reward to eventually arrive at the pinnacle of your chosen career,” Ibas said.

He, however, cautioned the officers to try to live with the intensity that only maturity could give, and accept responsibility for their actions.

“Be expressive of this in not being inflated by your triumphs, but in accepting responsibility for your actions,” he said.

The CNS also urged the officers to be guided always by a goal to be satisfied and at peace with the naval community and their conscience.

He recalled that the journey that culminated to the decoration of the rear admirals stated many years ago.

“It has been generously punctuated by different milestones, challenges and complex of activities that have collectively underpinned a military career as an extremely challenging one.

“A vocation with unrelenting demand for devotion, commitment, dedication, integrity, honesty, intelligence, knowledge, patriotism, honour and loyalty to service and the nation,” he said.

Ibas said that for progress to be made, a career officer must have those qualities in abundance to qualify him for consideration to ascend the ladder of the pyramidal structure.

He congratulated the senior officers and wished them complete success in their endeavours, and equally congratulated their families for their support.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Nigerian Navy Board recently approved the promotion of 87 senior officers to the ranks of Rear Admiral, Commodore, Captain and Commander.

They comprised 10 Rear Admirals, 25 Commodores, 24 Captains and 28 Commanders