The Nigerian Navy 66th anniversary celebrations kicks-off this week. The event which is scheduled to hold from May 23 to June 1, 2022, started with a press conference with journalists on Tuesday, May 23, 2022, at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
Briefing newsmen, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral A. Z. Gambo, who was ably represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral S.S. Garba, outlined the activities to make the occasion a memorable event.
He said, “From May 26, there will be commissioning of projects in respective Commands of the NN. The Newest Naval war Ship (NNS) ‘KADA’ is expected in the country on Friday, May 27, 2022. A warm reception is organized for her on the same day at the Naval Base, Apapa. Special Juma’ah Prayers and Inter-denominational Church Services are also programmed to hold in all naval establishments on May 27 and 29 respectively. There shall be Golf and Polo Tournaments on May 28 and June 1, respectively.”
Additionally, Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA) Seminar and other philanthropic activities will be held in Port Harcourt area from May 28.
“From May 30-31, there will be an International Maritime Conference and Regional Maritime Exercise (IMCREMEX) 2022. The Conference is scheduled to hold at the Onne Port Multi-Purpose Centre, Rivers State with the theme, “Optimising Collaboration for Maritime Security and Socio-Economic Development in Africa”.
According to him, the Exercise will be flagged off at the Federal Ocean Terminal, also in Onne, Rivers State. The IMCREMEX 2022 is poised to enhance regional cooperation and boost efforts toward collective security of the maritime domain.
The Special Guest of Honour at the Conference is His Excellency, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. Other very important personalities expected at the Conference include seasoned resource persons, heads of navies as well as captains of industry and strategic stakeholders. Needful to mention that the IMCREMEX 2022 is the Third Edition after the 2016 and 2018 editions organized by the NN.
According to Rear Admiral Garba, this Edition is unique because the NN is in partnership with the Institute for Security Studies Africa. IMC 2022 will feature a meeting of African Naval Chiefs and Maritime Security experts to interrogate and agree on proposed modalities for fulfilling the requirements of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) Communique 1012, in support of the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy. Essentially, the Communique seeks to establish Combined Maritime Task Forces among the navies of the GoG states and those along the Eastern/Southern coastlines as well as a Continental Maritime Advisory Council to be composed of the Heads of Navies and Coast Guards. For this reason, delegates to this year’s conference are not limited to GoG states only but also those of Eastern and Southern African nations. Also, several friendly nations have earmarked ships to participate in the Regional Exercise alongside NN ships and aircraft.
Relatedly, he said, Medical Rhapsody will be conducted in Onne and all Commands on May 31, 2022. The last in the series of activities lined up for the 66th Week Anniversary is the Ceremonial Sunset and Reunion Dinner, at Nigerian Naval College, Onne, Rivers State. The Ceremonial Sunset is one of the oldest and most significant naval ceremonies which usually marks the conclusion of special events.
In keeping with tradition, the Ceremonial Sunset will include a display of the Ceremonial Band of the NN and a salute to the lowering of the Ensign. It is pertinent to state that throughout the period of the 2022 NN Week Celebration and as operational demands would permit, all capital ships of the NN will be dressed overall and be lit at night. You may wish to follow the 2022 NN Week activities on www.nigeriannavyimcremex.com.ng.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/nigerian-navy-flags-off-66th-anniversary-celebrations/
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