KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM FCIS MIPM FIIPS FCAI AT THE 14TH INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CONFERENCE AND AWARDS (ISCA) 2021 HELD ON SATURDAY 21 AUGUST 2021 AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL ABUJA
PROTOCOL
Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Cross River State,
Prof. Ben Ayade,
Your Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, The Ooni of Ife.
Other Service Chiefs and Important Dignitaries here present,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
1. It gives me great pleasure to be here again at this important gathering of distinguished personalities who share common concern and sort to proffer strategies to national security issues confronting our great country. Notably, the outcome of this Conference would contribute to the ongoing efforts at addressing the threats to our national security interest. I must therefore commend the organisers of this Conference under the able leadership and guidance of the Director General of the Institute Barrister Tony Ofoyetan.
2. The contemporary national security challenges threatening the wellbeing of Nigerians as well as the territorial integrity of our dear nation namely armed banditry, insurgency/terrorism, farmers-herders conflict, kidnapping for ransom, secessionist agitations, cyber-crime and maritime insecurity are of serious concern and the government is leaving no stone unturned to surmount them. Thus, considering the contributions of the maritime environment to the nation’s economic survival, the Nigerian Navy under my watch has intensified her Maritime Security Operations (MSO) efforts against all forms of threats, especially the threat posed by the activities of pirates, crude oil thieves (COT) and illegal oil bunkering syndicates as well as Illegal Unregulated and Unreported fishing activities among others. I must not fail to mention that the support to the Nigerian Navy from Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces is noteworthy. As such, the Nigerian Navy will not relent until the activities of economic saboteurs are completely eradicated. Accordingly, I am convinced that a Conference of this nature is a laudable initiative. It is expected that the outcome of this gathering of great minds would contribute to the efforts of our security agencies and personnel alike by enhancing their tactical and operational competencies in meeting threats to our national security interest.
3. Distinguished invited guests, permit me to notify you that the Nigerian Navy places a high premium on capacity development of its workforce. Accordingly, the Service has always explored local and foreign training opportunities to enhance the professional competence of its personnel. I am glad to state that since my assumption of office as the 21st Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff, I have sought to build on the extant cordial relations between the Institute and the NN. This engagement has fostered regular training and education of our personnel through the Institute’s robust training programmes. In this wise, own personnel have been exposed to new security counter-measures to be able to meet contemporary security challenges. This has helped to broaden their knowledge, enhanced their skills and imbue in them a sense of purpose to overcome our security challenges. Realising these benefits, the Service has raised the ante in her engagement with the Institute leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the training of our operatives. Essentially, the MoU is expected to broaden the scope of training engagement with the Institute.
4. As a beneficiary of the various training activities of the Institute, I have no doubt in my mind that the new partnership with the Institute would enhance the capacity of our personnel. I believe this would reflect in their general appraisal of the contemporary security environment as well as the planning and execution of operations.
5. As I conclude, let me congratulate and welcome onboard the new inductees. The gains of joining the Institute are far-reaching as you would realise. I urge you all to build warm camaraderie with other members for the mutual benefit of all. May I therefore seize the opportunity to express my profound appreciation to the Governing Council of the Institute for their commitment and doggedness in moving the Institute forward. Please note that you can always count on my support towards achieving the goals of the Institute.
6. On this note, I want to once again thank the Special Guest of Honour for making time out of his very busy schedule to grace this occasion while also appreciating other esteemed invited guests for witnessing this event. I wish you a safe return to your various destinations. Thank you, God bless and Onward Together.
AZ GAMBO
Vice Admiral
August 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff