May the peace and blessings of Almighty God, the Most Merciful be upon us all. I am delighted to make these remarks on a special occasion as today to commemorate the Sixty-Seventh Anniversary Celebration of our Navy. I give thanks to Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness these celebrations despite numerous challenges and insecurity that abound across the country. We must not shy from the fact that our nation is passing through a crucial stage in her history. As such, we all need to be prayerful, steadfast and faithful. We all must look unto God, remain peace loving citizens of our great country and abide by requisite principles that would foster unity in our diversity. Please recall that the Holy Bible in 2 Chronicles Chapter 7 verse 14 reiterates: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. As we gather together in this interdenominational service to pray and seek God’s face concerning our great nation, the Armed Forces and the Nigerian Navy in particular, it is our prayer that God Almighty will forgive our sins and heal our land in Jesus name.
The strength of the yarn is in it being knitted together into a rope. In the same vein, our strength as a nation lies in our unity despite our diverse backgrounds, colour, tribe and religion. This unity is further espoused in the Nigerian Navy motto, “Onward Together”. Certainly, the commitment of the Nigerian Navy to the defence of the territorial integrity and peace of our dear nation is underscored by the Nigerian Navy’s collaborative and indelible performances in the discharge of her constitutional mandate towards protection of the nation’s maritime environment, her obligation to Internal Security under the aegis of Military Aid to Civil Authority and Military Aid to Civil Power as well as our contributions to global peace under the United Nations Peace Support Operations.
Notably, the security of the nation’s maritime space is being undermined by series of illegal activities perpetrated by criminal elements. Accordingly, the Nigerian Navy had to intensify her operational engagements to neutralize activities of these economic saboteurs in our maritime environment with resounding success. This has been made possible with the support of Mr President, Commander-in-Chief Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, culminating in the acquisition of modern platforms and the recent Presidential Fleet Review 2023, which showcased the Navy’s capability and strength. Furthermore, the Nigerian Navy, over the years, ensured personnel welfare through their physical, intellectual, mental and moral training as well as spiritual upliftment, is given prompt and due attention. Accordingly, this Anniversary provides us an opportunity for collective and individual introspection towards upholding the core values of the Nigerian Navy which are Professionalism, Integrity and Teamwork. I also urge you to ensure safety and legality are applied in all your endeavours. As such, we must utilize this occasion to rededicate ourselves with renewed focus, enthusiasm and hope, in line with my mantra “It is Our Navy” towards achieving a prosperous future for the Nigerian Navy.
Gentlemen, as we celebrate, let us be of goodwill to one another by improving lives of fellow human beings and work together to make the Service and Nigeria greater. Long live Nigerian Navy, long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Fair winds and Onward Together!
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