…As CNS Reels Out Achievements In 2024
By Eric Moore
THE Nigerian Navy has achieved another feat as it successfully trained and certified its first female pilot.
The female pilot, Navy Lieutenant Changfe Maigari, was decorated at the Nigerian Navy Sunset and Awards Night at the Naval Headquarters Training Command at Ebubu-Eleme, Rivers State, yesterday.
Speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, mentioned that the Ceremonial Sunset marks the end of the Nigerian Navy activity for the year 2024, and presents opportunity for the agency to reflect on its achievements and also bolster comradeship, as well as acknowledge the hard work of officers and ratings by honouring those who have distinguished themselves.
Ogala stated that the Navy during the year under review embarked on series of operations aimed at curbing oil theft and strengthening security of Nigeria’s territorial waters and the entire Gulf of Guinea.
He also stated that the Navy ensured fleet recapitalisation, infrastructural developments and improved personnel welfare in line with the Nigerian Navy’s strategic plan 2021-2030.
Ogala stated: “In January this year, we launched Operation Delta Sanity and incorporated aerial surveillance into our operations using helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles to improve our maritime domain awareness. This is in order to certainly combat the issue of oil theft and other maritime crimes.
“The operation recorded tremendous successes which led to the arrest of numerous vessels and suspects involved in oil theft and other crimes. This increased Nigeria’s daily crude oil production as many oil companies have reported about a hundred percent terminal factor in the past few months. This is indicative of the fact that pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil has drastically reduced.
“In line with our strategy, we are involved in various land-based operations across the nation’s six geopolitical zones in collaboration with sister services to ensure national security.”
In the area of indigenous shipbuilding, the CNS added that the Navy progressed significantly in the construction of two by thirty eight metres seaward defence boats which will be completed by mid next year.
“These are in addition to three tugboats and several patrol boats being constructed for the Nigerian Navy to be delivered in the year 2025. These platforms would further position the Nigerian Navy towards projecting naval power within the gulf of Guinea and beyond.”
He thanked the Federal government for its unwavering support to the agency and charged officers to continue in their dedication that led to the recorded successes.
In his Speech, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, congratulated the Navy for a successful year and expressed the state government’s readiness to always collaborate with the Navy, especially in the fight against oil theft.
“It has not been an easy system, not just for the navy but for our country more especially when we are faced with the devil that we are all working to overcome such as oil bunkering, vandalisation of pipelines and others. And in most cases, the agency saddled with this very difficult task is the Nigerian Navy because ninety percent of our oil lines are in the swamps in the Niger Delta region so I can say this night that you have done well for our nation.
“On our own part to also make you succeed, we have always collaborated with the Nigerian Navy, supported where we need to support, where we also need to advice, we have not neglected. So, I join you this evening to say that the task ahead of all of us in the new year is that we will work together to make sure that we combat, confront and overcome the challenges ahead of us.”
Speaking with journalists, the female pilot, Navy Lieutenant Changfe Maigari, thanked the Nigerian Navy for giving her the platform to achieve her career dream.