By Okosun Dennis
The Nigerian Navy has re-emphasized that the Finance and budgetary allocation for the force can never be enough to meet its operational needs hence it becomes inevitable to leverage on other avenues and grow Engineering businesses to add value.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla disclosed this in Lagos on Thursday, 12th September, while declaring opened a one-day workshop organized by the Naval Engineering Services Limited (NESL) in collaboration with Prime Atlantic Global Engineering Services, held at the Admiralty Conference Hall, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, who was Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Rear Admiral Joseph Daniel Akpan.
The workshop has the theme: “Navigating Commercial Waters: Marketing Strategies for the Nigerian Navy.”
He disclosed that with over 850 kilometers coastlines, there is a huge opportunities for the Navy to expand business frontiers. He reiterated that the objectives of the workshop is to develop self-reliance and fund the service by growing the business concern in the Navy.
“The CNS has seen the need to develop these businesses and give them the opportunity to grow and play pivotal role, adding that certain peculiarities of the military makes it difficult to do business hence there are many things to learn from the civil populace, in addition to our operational and welfare activities.
Admiral Ogalla noted that its high time the NN identified the most lucrative and strategic opportunities to grow business and develop the economic hub of the nation.
In his words, “The finances and budgetary allocation for the Navy can never be enough and this gives us the leverage to see how business aspects of engineering can grow to add value.
“The workshop has been very fruitful, as there have been collaborations among business practitioners. Such collaborative efforts of NESL with local business concerns raise hope for a bright hope for the future of these companies in the Nigerian Navy.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Naval Engineering Services Limited (NESL), Rear Admiral Baratuaipri Iyalla said NESL was formed to give indigenous capacity to service naval fleets and has grown into business conglomerates that have successfully built three war ships and two ongoing without bringing technical expertise from abroad.
“In modern business world,” he explained, “no organisation can thrive in isolation hence there is the need for private and public partnerships and collaborations while leveraging on their strategic roles to create new market.”
On the benefits of the workshop, he revealed that it would enable participants to understand the strength and partnership inherent in it; observing that the Blue Economy offers new inspiration for business growth and exploration.
Speaking with our correspondent, Rear Admiral Iyalla gave further insights: “We see ourselves in the future as being the drivers, and a one-stop shop when it comes to engineering services – these include logistics, provision of spares; limited manufacturing like hub paints, batteries and also skill materials – under our NESL metal brand and supply of other materials for building. We engage in software development and are in the process of developing an inventory management software, providing software solutions to engineering problems.
While delivery his lecture entitled: “Strategic Market Penetration and Expansion,” the Executive Director, Prime Atlantic Global Engineering Services, Mr Adeola Adeyanju explained that the Nigerian Navy can dominate the shipping business because of its vast experiences.
He lauded NN business diversification efforts, creating new business frontiers, while encouraging the force not to lose control in the area of expansion, penetration and having the right partnership to grow these businesses.
In attendance were the Group Managing Director, Navy Holdings Limited, Rear Admiral HUF Kaoje, represented by Rear Admiral AP kayode; the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Ordinance Depot, Rear Admiral LC Izu; the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, represented by Rear Admiral A Baba-Inna; the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral IM Albara, represented by the Command Technical Training Officer, Captain OEA Izilein.
Others were the Flag officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, represented by the Command Communication and Information Technology Officer, Captain SR Nweke; the Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Admiral A Orederu; the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Doctrine Command, Rear Admiral HD Zakaria; the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Farouk Umar Mijinyawa, who was also represented and Heads of all other Navy Holdings and officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy and civilian partners.
There was a guided tour of Naval Dockyard facilities by the SGOH, participants and other invited guests.
It would be recalled that the Naval Engineering Services Limited (NESL), was established on the 20th of December, 2012 to provide necessary marine engineering and logistics support to the Nigerian Navy and by extension, to the Maritime Industry.
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