CLOSING ADDRESS BY THE SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM FNIM MUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI AT THE NAVAL ENGINEERING RETREAT 2021 HELD AT THE ADMIRALTY CONFERENCE CENTRE FROM 20-21 SEPTEMBER 2021
PROTOCOL
1. I am indeed highly delighted to address this audience as we conclude the 2021 edition of the Naval Engineering Retreat. I am particularly elated by the presence of several distinguished personalities who have turned up for this Retreat. Without doubt, your presence and input have not only added glamour to this occasion but have greatly enriched the quality of the outcome of the Retreat. We are glad and indeed grateful for your participation and valuable discourse towards enhancing the effectiveness of the Naval Engineering Branch. Your participation has further rekindled and reaffirmed our friendship and shared commitment to moving the Nigerian Navy forward.
2. We remain highly indebted to you all and I would like to seize this opportunity to assure you that the Naval Headquarters will continue to do all within its power to retain the confidence the government has reposed in the Nigerian Navy. This would entail us initiating and sustaining policies and programmes geared towards improving operational efficiency, effectiveness and cohesion within the Service. In a broad sense, our gathering here is one of the many ways of enhancing the performance of the Navy by addressing key issues that could impinge administration, training and practice of Engineering. As such, this would ultimately improve organisational structure, training, practice and career development in the Naval Engineering Branch, with a corresponding overall positive impact on the Navy.
3. Distinguished invited guests and participants, these closing formalities have come after 2 days of useful interactions and discussions to determine how best to reposition the Naval Engineering Branch for better service delivery in the Navy. This Retreat and its theme could not have come at a better time when the Navy is making significant effort to bolster its effectiveness in the maritime environment and other continental engagements.
4. Accordingly, the presentations identified critical aspects which, if addressed, would reposition the Branch and indeed the Navy for better service delivery and attainment of her aspiration. Also, the resource persons were very explicit on the issues and challenges of the 4 focus areas namely; Organisational Structure, Training, Career Management and Practice as well as the strategies or ways to mitigate the challenges. The issues that received the most attention during this Retreat centred on the need to reorganise the structure of Naval Engineering Branch and improvements of training packages. The discussions in the Retreat also revealed the need to make pragmatic and essential changes to the career development of engineers and technicians as well as engineering practices. It is envisaged that these changes would elicit the needed stimulus to reposition the Branch for enhanced productivity and fast-track improvements in operational efficiency, downtime and availability of NN ships in line with the transformation drive.
5. I have noted with deep contentment the enthusiasm and sincerity of the resource persons, discussants and other contributors from the audience. In my opening address, it was mentioned that one of the objectives of the Retreat is to engender robust interaction and discussion on how best to reposition the Naval Engineering Branch through reorganisation, training, career management and best practices. I am pleased to state that at the end of the Retreat, this objective has been largely achieved. Let me add that the Naval Headquarters will study the recommendations from this Retreat with a view to developing ways that would ensure successful implementation.
6. Before I conclude this address, let me again express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Admiral GJ Jonah (retired), our esteemed special guests from Dorman Long and Starsz Shipyard, resource persons and participants for honouring our invitation despite your tight schedules. I also thank the President Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his continuous support to the Navy. I also wish to acknowledge the enormous support of our friends and partners in assisting the Navy move forward. Your contributions have greatly enriched the various recommendations made at this event. Let me also commend the Chairman and members of the Organizing Committee of this Retreat for a successful outing despite short notice. Distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, at this point, I have the honour to bring this Retreat to a close. Thank you and God bless. Onward Together.