By Linus Aleke

As it is in human existence, where some grow old to become the eldest in their clan or even neighborhood, some exit the world few minutes or hours after birth, few others arrive the plant as stillborn, while several others exit in as infants or even unmarried adults. Such is the irony of life.

This is not difference with human career, especially in the military, where some fall along the line while others pay the supreme price in the cause of their career. Several others made it to the end of their career but very few enjoys the privilege of becoming Service Chiefs.

This is in consonance with ancient saying, “many are called but few are chosen”. The axiom aptly explains the inverted pyramid structure of human organization, public or private. Only one person, out of millions, becomes president of a nation within a given period. Same thing with Chief Executive Officers of banks, or multinational corporations, ministries, department and government agencies, including the military establishment.

Amongst the members of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Courses, only one person in their no fewer than 35 years military career, are appointed services chiefs.

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But like the Jewish Patriarch of the royal tribe of Judah and of the lineage of Jesse, King Solomon would say, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace”.

It was a time of exit for the former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral AZ Gambo, after 39 years of meritorious military career in the Nigerian Navy.

In a solemn disposition and tone, while, delivery his valedictory speech at the pulling out ceremony held in Lagos, Vice Admiral Gambo, validated the above quote credited to King Solomon of Israel, when he said: “As the saying goes, everything that has a beginning, has an end”.

This, he noted applies to journey through life, stressing that “just as it is for any old sailor in history, this great ceremony marks the end of my illustrious military career and exit from our beloved Nigerian Navy. The Service that has nurtured me for the past 39 years of my maritime oriented life”.

Vice Admiral Gambo, said that his military career, which commenced with his officer cadet training in 1984 has been rewarding.

He noted that like every military career, his service years were associated with seasons of excitement and demanding experiences, adding that this made it expedient to be surrounded by people who could provide the necessary support to succeed in any chosen profession.

To appreciate the officers and ratings that worked with him throughout his 39 years military carrier, the CNS said: “In the words of Helen Keller, ‘The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker’. Also, according to Merle Crowell, ‘It is the men behind who make the man ahead’. These quotations give credence to the immense support, cooperation and motivation I enjoyed throughout my career, without which I will not be celebrated today as a fulfilled leader. For this, I remain eternally grateful to my professional colleagues and family as well as other well meaning personalities across the various walks of life, that offered me their shoulders to lean on while I served”.

Not discountenancing the place of God, His grace and mercies in the affairs of mortals, especially in the area of human progress and achievements, the former CNS said, “It is most important to appreciate Almighty Allah for a successful Naval career, judging from the fact that some of our compatriots and colleagues did not have the same opportunity. Sadly, several of our professional colleagues and contemporaries have fallen along the line of duty while some paid the supreme sacrifice in various campaigns, both at the domestic and international scenes, including ECOMOG,
counter-piracy and counter-insurgency operations. We pray that the souls of our
departed compatriots continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty and may God continue to grant their families the desired comfort for good life. Amen”.

He also did not hesitate to give the following verdict about the Nigerian Navy, “Our dear nation is endowed with a professional and vibrant Navy which, has
continued to defend her territorial integrity from the maritime flank. The Nigerian Navy has ever demonstrated the resolve to protect the invaluable resources within the nation’s maritime environment and project the country’s image globally. For me as the 21th indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff, it has been a unique opportunity to lead in the onerous task of delivering on our constitutional role. I can say that our Navy is a Service of global repute and standards, which we can be proud of”.

The former CNS noted that upon his appointment as the CNS about two and a half years ago, he had a vision which is ‘to leverage on all factors of national location, technology, training, teamwork and synergy to re-energise the Nigerian Navy and enhance her as a well-motivated and
ready naval force in the discharge of her constitutional mandate and other assigned
tasks in fulfilment of national security objectives’.

Also derived from this Vision, he said, is his
Mission, which is “to optimize deployment of the Nigerian Navy in performance of her
constitutional roles and undertaking of assigned tasks while, promptly responding with
commensurate actions to other emerging national security challenges”.

He added that the vision and mission guided the service to uphold the strong support and values needed to succeed in its
activities and operations.

Taking stock of his modest achievements while in service, Vice Admiral Gambo said:
“Looking back, I proudly reflect on the giant strides we attained in various facets
of the Service under my leadership. The Nigerian Navy made significant improvement in operations, logistics, manpower development and personnel welfare. We recorded great achievements in anti-Crude Oil Theft, anti-piracy and counterinsurgency
operations as well as fleet renewal and massive infrastructural development among
others. An appraisal of these efforts explains the successes attained by the Service, with increasing capacity to project force across the Gulf of Guinea in support of our neighbours and international partners. The secrets to these noble achievements
remain Teamwork, Integrity and Professionalism.
As I bow out today, permit me to place it on record that our Navy is stronger and better positioned than ever before to discharge its constitutional roles for our national security and economic prosperity. I therefore, commend the officers, ratings and
civilian staff of our dear Service for their loyalty and dedication, which assisted us to
achieve so much. I urge all our personnel to remain steadfast in their service to our fatherland for the overall wellbeing of the Nigerian State”.

He also appealed to the commanders and their troops to keep up the high standards
and remain devoted to the Service.

“Most importantly, I enjoin you to sincerely extend the same cooperation to the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral EI Ogalla. I have
no doubt that you will heed this call for greater achievements irrespective of evolving
challenges,” he further tasked them.

In conclusion he said, “my illustrious career comes to its end in a short moment from now. I can boldly say that I am moving on with a great sense of pride and satisfaction in what we have accomplished together, knowing that I am leaving you in the hands of a capable Chief of the Naval Staff”.