Navy takes civilians on sea trip to mark 69th anniversary

As part of its 69th anniversary celebrations, the Nigerian Navy on Friday took no fewer than 300 civilians, including primary school pupils on a sea trip aboard the NNS KADA and gave them sea faring experience.

The initiative, aimed at fostering stronger civil-military relationships, saw families and friends thronging the NNS BEECROFT Jetty at the Naval Base in Apapa, Lagos, eager to experience naval operations firsthand.

The NNS KADA, which set sail around 9:00 am, took the civilian guests on a three-hour tour of the Lagos waters, showcasing the ocean view from the Lagos Anchorage and back to base in Apapa.

Participants were treated to music on board, and many expressed their appreciation for the Navy’s vital role in national security.

Speaking to newsmen on board the NNS KADA, the Fleet Commander, Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Mohamed-Katsina, emphasized the significance of the sea trip in commemorating the Navy’s 69th year.

He explained that inviting civilians onboard was a direct reflection of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala’s strategic guidance on civil-military relations.

He said, “The purpose of boarding civilians today is for you to celebrate with us the 69th anniversary of Nigerian Navy.

“Nigerian Navy is 69 years old, and the occasion is a week-long, which commenced last Friday and to culminate by Sunday, where we’re going to have our sunset ceremony.”

He said with the sea trip, those who participated are better informed of the workings of the Navy to protecting the nation’s maritime domain.

“We thank you all for going to sea with us today to see what Navy is capable of doing and what we will continue to do for the nation in protecting our maritime environment and every other assets and whatever the nation has beneath the water, within Nigerian territorial water, including that of the Gulf of Guinea.

Rear Admiral Mohamed-Katsina also underscored the importance of transparency and accountability to the public, whose taxes, he said fund the Navy’s operations.

“This is one of the cardinal objectives and the strategic guidance of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, that’s civil-military relationship because the civilians are the ones that pay the tax in which the nation uses in buying all the assets that Nigerian Navy utilizes. So we must collaborate, cooperate and let them know whatever we are doing with the tax they are paying and also to assure them that they are safe and all the assets of the nation will be protected, especially those on the maritime environment.”

The NNS KADA, capable of accommodating as many as 1,000 individuals provided a memorable experience for all who participated in the anniversary celebration.