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The Nigerian Navy has assured of its readiness to increase manpower and logistics in Imo State to address security challenges on blue sea routes.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla and key members of his Command paid a courtesy visit to Governor Hope Uzodinma at the Government House, Owerri on Wednesday.
Vice Admiral Ogalla spoke as Governor Uzodinma assured him of the preparedness of Imo State under his watch and the South East Governors which he serves as their Chairman, to do everything possible to support the Navy and other security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibility and mandate in the interest of the people.
Governor Uzodinma expressed gratitude to God and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on behalf of the Government and people of Imo State and the South East, over the appointment of the Chief of Naval Staff, noting that Ogalla’s appointment was the second time in the history of Nigeria that an Igbo man will be occupying the position of Chief of Naval Staff.
He thanked President Tinubu for starting in earnest to implement his campaign promises to all zones of the country and at the same time, working hard to reposition the economy to compete with that of other Nations globally.
The Governor described Vice Admiral Ogalla is ‘an all round professional who has paid his dues in the Naval profession’ and thanked him for the kind words he used to qualify the efforts his government has made in the course of reconstructing, rehabilitating and recovering Imo State.
Governor Uzodinma reminded Ogalla that ‘Imo people are hardworking businessmen and women who only need peace and security as an encouragement to go about their normal businesses.’
He described his visit as ‘another assurance and hope that the security situation in Imo State will be further improved and strengthened’ and reassured the Chief of Naval Staff that ‘on the issue of logistics and improved manpower the State will always be partners in progress.’
Governor Uzodimma reassured Ogalla that the government and people of Imo State will not take for granted that he is from the South East of Nigeria, reiterating that all that is required for him to succeed in his office will be readily made available.
He counselled him to ‘work hard to be remembered in National history as a role model and an Officer who came, saw and conquered.’
The Governor rounded off by reassuring the Naval Chief, on behalf of Imo people, the entire Igbo and in his capacity as the Chairman of Progressives Governor’s Forum and Chairman of Governors of South East Forum, of the total support he needs as the Chief of Naval Staff and head of the Nigerian Navy.
Earlier in his remarks, Ogalla promised to redouble manpower and logistics in Imo State and thanked the Governor for accepting to receive them in a very short notice.
‘It is a testimony of the cordial relationship between the State and the Navy in Imo State,’ he said, adding that ‘the visit will further cement our working relationship with the Government and people of Imo State.’
He acknowledged that Imo State has been strategic in the support of the Navy in achieving her maritime security objectives, noting that part of the reason for the visit was to inform the Governor that the hydrographic survey of Oguta Lake to Orashi River to the Atlantic Ocean is ready for presentation to the Governor ‘and with this achieved the project will then move to another level.’
Ogalla who sincerely thanked the Governor for all his assistance to the Navy and for connecting the Naval Base in Imo State to the National grid, however, requested for more Patrol Vans to enable them cover more areas along the maritime coast.
Additionally, he thanked the Governor for his interventions in the construction of internal roads at the Naval School of Logistics at Owerrinta.
The Eastern Updates
