…Commissions new Headquarters of Naval Training Command in Ebubu Eleme
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has charged the Nigerian Navy to effectively maintain and utilize the new Headquarters of the Naval Training Command which used to be Amb. Ine Kurubo Model Secondary School at Ebubu Eleme handed over to expand her operations and activities for national security development.
Governor Fubara stated this while Commissioning the new Headquarters of Naval Training Command located in the Amb. Ine Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu Eleme on Friday.
The governor noted that the training command stands as a testament to the commitment of the leadership of the Nigerian Navy to investing in the professional development of naval personnel with the objective of cultivating a highly skilled, proficient, and motivated naval force capable of advancing the security and prosperity of the nation’s maritime interests.
He noted that the event completed the development journey that started in April 2023 when the immediate past government gracefully ceded the dilapidated structures of the abandoned former Amb. Ine Korubo’s model government secondary school to the Nigerian Navy for use and expressed satisfaction for the remarkable transformation the facility has undergone..
Sir Fubara emphasised that as a littoral state with significant deposits of natural resources, Rivers State is exposed to seaborne security threats, including the activities of pirates, kidnappers, and pipeline vandals that have adverse impacts on the state and national economies if not effectively tackled
“This is why we will continue to provide tangible support and work together with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to safeguard the freedom of navigation, combat criminality on our waterways and ensure that the State is safe and secure for business and development to thrive and benefit our people and the nation.”
“This training command is truly, remarkable evidence of the great strides being made by our President, His Excellency Bola Tinubu GCFR to strengthen the combat capabilities of our Nigerian Navy to deal with the expanded spectrum of maritime security threats that we face as a nation.”
“Accordingly, I am pleased to announce the donation of the sum of N350 million to support the continuing development and operationalization of this training command.”
He commended the Chief of Naval Staff and his team for their leadership in keeping to their promise to put the facility to effective use for the socio-economic benefit of Rivers State and the country at large.
Gov. Fubara further implored the Naval Command to provide effective security and development support to the host communities and live in peace and harmony with the civilian population in the local government area.
The governor expressed gratitude to those who have contributed to the realization of the project in the community as he reaffirms the special bond Rivers State has with the Nigerian Navy and shared commitment to advancing the peace, security and well-being of Rivers State and the nation.
Speaking earlier the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajuddeen, thanked the government of Rivers State for graciously donating the property to the Nigerian Navy and urged other states to emulate the gesture in supporting the military in the interest of national security.
Represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Speaker stated that the decision to relocate the Headquarters of the Naval Training Command from Lagos to Port-Harcourt was taken in the best interest of the service and in line with its training policy, adding that the new facility is more spacious with befitting infrastructure and aesthetics that will enhance coordination and supervision of training in the Nigerian Navy.
He noted that the presence of the Naval Training Command in Ebubu-Eleme is also strategic for the purpose of bolstering security and economic activities in the region.
Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Government for donating the facility and providing logistics that led to the remarkable transformation of the now Headquarters of the Nigerian Navy Training Command in Ebubu Eleme.
He restated that the journey to the commissioning of the facility began in 2022 with the donation of two schools which includes Amb. Ine Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu Eleme and Model Secondary School, Egbelu in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State to the Nigerian Navy by the State Government.
“Following the decision and based on the Nigerian Navy strategic plan 2021 to 2030, which already has in that plan the expansion of the Naval Training Command and the expansion of several of our training facilities, the Nigerian Navy took it as a priority to relocate the Naval Training Command and some other training facilities to this particular complex.”
The Naval Chief emphasised that the donation of the complex is an indication of the existing cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the Rivers State government, stressing that the relocation of the headquarters of the Naval Training Command from Lagos to Ebubu Eleme in Rivers State will lead to increase in human capacity development for the Nigerian Navy as well as strengthen its operations for the overall growth of maritime security with a view to enhancing national development.
– Gist Report
