By Okosun Dennis
On Friday, 30th May, 2025, Civilians, friends of the Nigerian Navy, families and Defence Correspondents were taken on a voyage within Nigerian anchorage with a view to having a glimpse of the force operational responsibilities in the defence of our territorial and maritime environment.
The massive NNS Kada, a Landing Ship Transport casted off from the NNS Beecroft jetty at 9:05am with hundreds of people including children on board; a practice that cements and galvanize existing relationships.
Sea Trip is an annual event associated with the activities of its anniversary. It offers an opportunity for civilian friends to be exposed to naval fleets and platforms, interact with officers and ratings with a view to broadening the existing cordial and cohesive civil-military relationships.
In a brief chat with the Fleet Commander, Western Naval Fleet, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Mohammed-Katsina explained that Sea Trip is one of the cardinal objectives and strategic guidance of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla to deepen relationship with the civilian populace, host communities considering that their taxes are deployed by the nation in the procurement of assets used by the navy.
Adding that taking civilian populace to the sea forms a veritable platform to socialise with our brothers and sisters, “we must collaborate and cooperate with them, let them know what we are doing, noting that it provides members of the public opportunity to celebrate with us the 69th anniversary of the force.”
While appreciating the press for their robust coverage of various activities so far, Rear Admiral Mohammed-Katsina appreciated them especially for coming to felicitate with the force reiterating that such compliments are motivational factors that spur them to do more.
“We appreciate you for coming to felicitate with the Nigerian Navy and see what the Navy is capable of doing and what we would continue to do; to protect the maritime environment, and every other asset beneath the water, including that of Gulf of Guinea.”
On his part, Captain Andrew Zidon, Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship KADA said the trip provides an opportunity for the NN to enable the general public and friends of the navy to experience the sea and further provide an insight into the activities of the NN and our pivotal role of providing a secured and safe maritime security towards an enhanced blue economy for Nigeria.
In the same vein, a renowned Television personality and Co-founder and a multiple award winning TV Programme, Goge Africa, Ambassador Isaac Moses, who was onboard with his amiable wife, did not hide his satisfaction with what he witnessed during the three-hours voyage.
To him, “The Nigerian Navy are very professional and upright in what they do. There are so many things that the navy do that are not in the public space apart from traditional protection of our territorial waters.
“They are well-prepared and on top of their games.” On future expectations during future trips, “I would like to see a display of some of our naval prowess. This is a tour of the sea hence nothing much was seen of their activities.
“Subsequently, I would like to see some display, even though I was fortunate to see a glimpse of display by helicopter arial expertise. Next time, I would like to see more underwater and arial display,” Moses reiterated with an expression of satisfaction with full compliment from his wife.
Other participants who our correspondent interacted with have different words for the Nigerian Navy. To Miss Favour Moses, a pupil of Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Day Care, Nursery and Primary School, Mobil Road, Ajegunle-Apapa, thanked the force for the rare opportunity to board NNS KADA and made the sea trip. “I am happy and joyous for being part of the sea trip. I thank the Nigerian Navy.”
One of the teachers that guarded the 65 pupils, Mr Peter Ige, told our correspondent that it was “fun”.
Explaining how he felt during the exercise, he summed up: “We sailed far into the sea and was thrilled with the way the Commanding Officer, NNS KADA, Navy Captain Zidon explained a lot of things to us. The trip didn’t only enrich me but I now better appreciate the invaluable contributions of the Nigerian Navy at protecting our maritime environment.”
“Some of my pupils have expressed enthusiasm to enlist into the navy when they complete their school based on the superb and cordial interactions, show of love and their dress code, which are impeccable,” he observed.
Nigerian Navy 69th anniversary and the Navy Week began last friday with Juma’at service. Since then, there have been sundry activities which will be followed with the inauguration of three helicopters and three warships tomorrow, Saturday, 31st May, 2025 at the NNS Beecroft jetty.
The week-long activities would be rounded off on Sunday, 1st June, 2025 with Ceremonial Sunset and Dinner at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.
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