CLOSING ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO GSS AM psc ensp (RSA) MTM FNIM LMUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI AT THE THIRD NIGERIAN NAVY WARRANT OFFICERS’ CONVENTION HELD AT THE ADMIRALTY CONFERENCE CENTRE NAVAL DOCKYARD LIMITED LAGOS ON 1 – 2 NOVEMBER 2021
PROTOCOL
1. I most sincerely appreciate the presence of our highly distinguished guests and participants as the Third Nigerian Navy Warrant Officers’ Convention comes to a close. I am humbled by the presence of many of you eminent personalities who have honoured our invitation despite your busy schedules. Without doubt, your presence has brought colour and added spice to the event. More importantly, it has enriched the discourse and borne testimony to your sustained support to the Nigerian Navy in its task of nation-building. We remain highly indebted to you all and seize this opportunity to assure you that the Nigerian Navy will continue to do all within its power to justify the confidence of the Nigerian people in the Service. We are glad and indeed grateful for honouring our invitation and participating in the Convention.
2. Distinguished guests and participants, the theme, “Optimising Nigerian Navy Operations through Effective Warrant Officers’ Leadership” demands our collective reflection on contemporary issues bothering on human resource management, personnel administration as well as leadership and its impact on operational efficiency in the Nigerian Navy. In the past 2 days, the Convention has drawn from the wealth of knowledge of the resource persons to better equip the Warrant Officers. It is sincerely envisaged that this will lead to a more responsive leadership of the non-commissioned officer cadre which would bear positively on operational efficiency in the Nigerian Navy. Resource persons for this Convention were drawn from serving and retired naval personnel as well as seasoned persons from the business world.
3. The presentations and discussions were educative and thought-provoking. The roles of Warrant Officers in the Navy were evaluated under the human resource management concept and later on, under the divisional system which is practised in the Navy. Also addressed was the importance of motivation which is considered an essential tool for enhanced operational effectiveness. At this juncture, I am pleased to state that the set objectives of the Convention have been largely met. Indeed, I believe many good experiences have been shared and good lessons learnt. Rest assured that the opinions expressed here in the past few hours have been noted. The recommendations arising from here would be carefully reviewed at the Naval Headquarters with a view to arriving at measures that would improve the management of human resources, administration and professionalism in the Navy.
4. Let me again express my profound appreciation to our dignitaries for the honour done to us by their attendance. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari for his unquantifiable support to the Nigerian Navy. I also wish to acknowledge the enormous support of the Honourable Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, heads of other security agencies and our esteemed participants in making this Convention a huge success. Your contributions have greatly enriched the various recommendations made at this event.
5. As I close, I take this opportunity to commend the Organizing Committee of this Warrant Officers’ Convention for a job well done. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, having had an active week, I believe you look forward to returning to your respective homes. I therefore wish you all a safe journey home. On this note, I have the honour to bring the Nigerian Navy 2021 Warrant Officers’ Convention to a close. Once again, thank you. God bless and Onward Together.
AZ GAMBO
Vice Admiral
November 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff