The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, has identified crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining of petroleum products and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea as challenges still plaguing the Nigeria’s waterways.
General Olonisakin said this during the passing out parade of the Nigeria Navy Basic Training School, NNBTS batch twenty eight trainees at Onne in Rivers state.
The Chief of Defence Staff while speaking at the event, charged the officers to be courageous, morally upright and to be resilient in whatever role they find themselves especially in some of the challenges he highlighted.
Speaking on the persistent security challenges in the Country, the General assured that the armed forces and other security agencies are actively engaged to resolve the problem of insurgency and terrorism in the North East and crime in parts of the country.
“Undoubtedly, you are all aware of the various security challenges affecting our beloved country. The Nigerian Navy and indeed, the entire nation’s armed forces and security agencies are actively engaged in a collective national effort to resist insurgency and terrorism in the North-East and other forms of criminality in other parts of the coutry.
“Importantly, you must understand that you are to represent the interest of the country at all times and not any sectional interests.
“I also expect that your commitment and loyalty to the Nation and the armed forces must be total at all times and you must also be above board and worthy in both character and efficiency.
“I expect you all to be courageous, morally upright in whatever role you find yourself as part of the ongoing national effort to confront these endemic ills.”
While assuring that Nigeria will surmount her security challenges, General Olonisakin advised the Nigeria Navy Basic Training school graduands to remain apolitical at all times and also refuse to be used mischievously by individuals for selfish ends.
DAILY POST reports that the 1,176 graduands has 997 males and 149 females after the successful completion of the six months training.
