The Nigerian Navy has commissioned a 200 capacity hostel in a secondary school in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State, southern Nigeria as part of its projects to celebrate its 64th anniversary.
Other projects commissioned were the remodeled Saidu girls’ hotel at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Borokiri, a Protestant Church at NOP Ikuru, Rivers State and a sickbay built at the Headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The commissioning ceremonies were performed virtually in line with the World Health Organisation(WHO) COVID-19 health protocol.
Presiding over the virtual inauguration and commissioning of the projects, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral David Adeniran, , remarked that the virtual meeting which was the 3rd held since the advent of COVID-19 in Nigeria was unique as it coincided with the Naval week celebrations.
“This month’s virtual meeting is unique because it coincides with the 2020 Navy week celebrations, which is the 64th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy. The celebration is usually elaborate and comprises of activities like sea trip, regimental dinner amongst others.However, it is low keyed this year because of the global pandemic,”.
“However, a few activities such as the distribution of palliatives and Personal Protective Equipment as well as ceremonials, where ships are to dress overall and ceremonial Sunset have been lined up to mark the week celebration in the command,” Adeniran stated.
Curbing COVID-19
Explaining further on adopting the virtual technology for meetings in the command, the FOC stated that it was rewarding, since it enabled the command deliberate as one unit and actions taken for the attainment of the strategic directive of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
He stated “fortunately, the command has had in place infrastructure to handle the present situation, but cannot be substituted for person to person interaction. Officers and ratings are permitted to travel when it is absolutely necessary”.
“Prior to COVID-19, the FOC’s monthly meeting designed to evaluate the command’s operational successes and challenges, was rotary with each unit having hosting opportunities. The meetings afford officers first hand knowledge of issues associated with each unit”, The Naval chief stated.
Speaking further, Rear Admiral Adenira
n said that besides adopting virtual meetings, the ENC had “reached out to host communities to assist them in complying with the instructions laid down to stop the spread of COVID-19”.
He therefore charged officers and ratings to leave no stone unturned in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to the barracks.
He called for a one minute silence in honour of those who have died from COVID-19 in Nigeria and the world generally.
The third virtual meeting held with eighteen unit heads, which included PSOs, Cos, Commandants and MOiC in the Eastern Naval Command area of operations in attendance.
