Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has lauded the Federal Government through the Ministry of Defence for its untiring efforts, in taming militancy, sea piracy and other maritime vices along the country’s water ways.
Ayade who stated this during the inauguration of the Naval Warfare Course 3, at the Naval War College, Calabar maintained that the effort has not only enhance business activities but has also brought relative peace in the state and nation.
While also appreciating the Navy and President Muhammadu Buhari for the choice of Calabar as the permanent site of the Naval War College, Ayade called on the federal government to ensure adequate funding of the war college to meet its peculiar needs, practical training and the tackling of maritime threats along the water corridors.
In his words; “It is my responsibility to celebrate, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff for making Calabar the permanent site for the Nigerian Navy War College because Cross River State gives you an amalgam of a maritime opportunity for practical courses. Your presence will boost economic activities and enhance exports which will be translated into huge foreign earnings for the country.’’
Ayade who urged participants to take their studies serious with the view to acquiring new skills in tackling maritime activities that are inimical to the economy of the country, pointed out that, “ Today, the International Maritime Organization places very high premium on all ships coming into Nigeria occasioned by the high level of piracy involving companies. Therefore, you must acquire skills that will enable you carry out the needed legitimate businesses at all times.”
In his presentation before inaugurating the participant of course 3 at the college, Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin who congratulated Prof. Ben Ayade for his well deserved victory at the just concluded gubernatorial polls in the state and commended him for being a good host to the armed forces, intimating that transnational maritime threats has posed challenge on naval Operations thereby demanding them to evolve more proactive approaches in tackling the menace.
The Commandant of the college, Rear Admiral Thaddeus Udofia explained that, following the commissioning of the College on 31 may 2017 at its then temporary site in Ubima, Rivers State, the Naval War College was inaugurated on 21 July 2017.
According to him, “Today’s event is the inauguration of course 3 which will run through middle of October 2019 and its curriculum modules include: National Security & Management of Defence, Inter-Agency Cooperation’s in Maritime Security Operations, leadership and management Studies, Naval History, Campaign Studies, Joint Operations and Operational Art as well as Peace Support Operations.”
Udofia added that the college is established to develop senior naval leaders and equivalents from the services as operational level commanders with thorough appreciation of complex national security problems who are prepared to make sound decisions in the application of maritime force as a policy option.
The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas and all the service commanders in the state.
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