Navy training school graduates 1,486 new recruits

A total of 1,486 trainees, comprising 1,240 males and 246 females of the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School, Onne in Rivers State, Batch 35 on Saturday passed out in a colourful Passing Out Parade (POP).

The passing out parade marked the successful completion of six months rigorous naval training which included seamanship, boat handling, small arms, rifle drills, endurance training and unarmed combat.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams- Aliu, said Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, was the Reviewing Officer at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of Batch 35 trainees of Nigerian Navy Basic Training School.

The Reviewing Officer was received by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.

He said the event featured a march past in slow and quick time, a silent drill display, award presentations, and souvenir presentations to dignitaries.

“The POP was a colorful ceremony signaling the commencement of a naval career for these young male and female Nigerians who have sworn an oath of allegiance to their nation. After the March past in slow and quick time, there was a silent drill display by the trainees, award presentation by the Reviewing Officer and presentation of souvenirs to the dignitaries, ” he said.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the representatives of the Executive Governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States and Chairman House Committee on Defence and representatives of the Service Chiefs.

Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, and Principal Staff Officers from Defence Headquarters and Naval Headquarters.