Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has charged officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to remain steadfast in their dedication to duty and to offer unwavering support to Nigeria’s democracy and constituted authority.
He also cautioned personnel against any conduct that could bring the service into disrepute, assuring them that the Nigerian Navy would continue to provide the necessary support to enable optimal performance in their respective assignments.
The charge was delivered during the 2026 Second Quarter Route March held at the Naval Base, Admiralty Estate, Asokoro, Abuja.
The CNS, represented by the Chief of Communication and Information Technology, Rear Admiral Samiu Adepegba, said the exercise was designed to enhance both the physical and mental alertness of personnel in response to the evolving demands of contemporary security operations, while also strengthening esprit de corps among personnel and sister security agencies.
He stated: “I enjoin you to continue to be professional in the conduct of your duties and day-to-day activities. Furthermore, I encourage you not to engage in any act that could bring the Service into disrepute in the course of your duty. The Nigerian Navy will continue to support you by providing all that is required to function optimally in your assigned tasks, and I charge you to show dedication to duty and unflinching support to our democracy and constituted authority.”
Admiral Abbas explained that the Nigerian Navy remains constitutionally tasked with safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain, while also playing a key role in Gulf of Guinea maritime security arrangements and internal security operations nationwide.
He noted that these responsibilities make physical and mental fitness indispensable for operational effectiveness.
According to him, “The Nigerian Navy is primarily responsible for the protection of the nation’s maritime domain and also a major contributor to the Gulf of Guinea maritime security arrangement. The Service is also a major participant in internal security duties all over the country. This makes it imperative that we be mentally and physically fit at all times. Thus, exercises and physical training remain the bedrock of naval personnel’s daily readiness for sea and shore duties. Notably, the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to enhancing mental and physical fitness has yielded dividends, as evidenced by its sterling contributions to national security, peace, and prosperity. It is in recognition of this fact and the desire of the Service to keep personnel physically fit that the Route March, among other physical fitness exercises, is sustained in the Nigerian Navy schedule of events.”
He further emphasised the importance of civil-military relations, noting that cordial engagement with civilians enhances intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness.
According to him, “Pertinently, the performance we have witnessed today guarantees that the Nigerian Navy will continue to meet its constitutional commitments in collaboration with other security agencies in Nigeria to improve national security. In this regard, I enjoin you all to keep the flag flying by diligently performing your duties while maintaining utmost regard for human rights. I urge you to continue to be law-abiding citizens and, at the same time, maintain cordial and improved relationships with the civilian population and other stakeholders. Moreover, your duty to defend the territorial integrity of our fatherland will be meaningless if the Nigerian populace is not enjoying a harmonious relationship with the Armed Forces.”
