By Solomon Ikechukwu
The Nigerian Navy has decorated the 18 newly promoted Rear Admirals with their new ranks.
This is even as the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas condemned the involvement of Naval personnel in illicit oil bunkering and crude oil theft.
Vice Admiral Ibas who said this at the decoration of the senior officers also disclosed that there are significant achievements in the fight against Maritime crime, lamenting that there are pockets of personnel still colluding with criminals to sabotage the effort,
He added that the Navy in collaboration with other security agencies have strived to protect the economic mainstay of the country through various operations.
He warned that any act of collusion with criminals will be met with stiff sanctions in accordance with the law of the land, saying measures has been emplaced to checkmate illegalities in the service.
While, addressing the newly promoted senior officers, the CNS urged them to be more dedicated and display unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander-in-Chief.
He said that their ingenuity resourcefulness and integrity will be required as senior officers of the Navy to reposition the Service to discharge its constitutional role for the security and prosperity of Nigeria.
According to him, “note that as leaders of the service, you are expected to be above board and ensure that your subordinates equally buy into the zero-tolerance stance of the NN against all forms of illegalities and criminalities at sea and ashore”.
The Minister of Defence said that promotion in the military is a reward for hard work, patriotism, and loyalty to service and country.
He said an officer must have the aforesaid qualities as a qualification for consideration to ascend pyramidal ladder.
“I am pleased to note that the 18 senior officers being decorated today have strived to meet these requirements and remained true to their professional calling,” he said.
