WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM MUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI ON THE OCCASION OF ICE BREAKER COCKTAIL TO MARK COMMENCEMENT OF THE 2021 CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT BRISTOL PALACE HOTEL KANO ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2021
PROTOCOL
1. It is a great pleasure for me to, on behalf of the officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy heartily welcome you all this evening to the 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference. I would like to begin by specially acknowledging the presence of our Special Guest of Honour, Our Host, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. May I also most respectfully welcome the Executive Governors of:
– Jigawa State; His Excellency Alhaji Badaru Abubakar,
– Kaduna State; His Excellency Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai,
– Katsina State, His Excellency Aminu Bello Masari,
– Kebbi State, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku Bagudu,
– Sokoto State, His Excellency, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal
– Zamfara State, His Excellency Bello Matawalle,
Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ministers, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, our Royal fathers and other political leaders present here. Permit me to equally acknowledge the presence of former Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs, executives of multinational organisations, captains of maritime industries and the academia, very senior serving and retired military officers and indeed all our esteemed guests and participants for being part of this important Conference. Indeed, it is heartwarming this evening to witness this array of distinguished personalities, political leaders, different heads of renowned groups and their representatives. This has further established our collaborative commitment towards enhancing the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in fulfilling her constitutional responsibilities.
2. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, let me state here that this Ice Breaker Cocktail is organised to mark the official commencement of the 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference and to usher in the activities lined up for the Conference. This is without prejudice to the fact that earlier in the day, I personally delivered a lecture at Dangote Business School in Bayero University Kano to students of various tertiary institutions in the State. This was done with a view to sensitising the youths on the activities of the Nigerian Navy.
3. The foregoing notwithstanding, it is important for me at this juncture to highlight the importance of hosting the 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference. As you are aware, the Nigerian maritime environment is of strategic importance to our nation’s economy. As such, the current security challenges in the Country are of serious concern to all of us gathered here today. What is perhaps more disturbing is that any criminal activity in our waters affects the image and economic life of the Country. In other words, the scourge of illegalities, such as sea robbery, piracy, crude oil theft, poaching, human and illicit trafficking of weapons and drugs among others constitute serious challenges to our desired development as a nation.
4. While this is not a speech-making occasion, permit me to state that, it is clear that one of the major implications of the emerging security situation is the increasing demand for effective support and collaboration among stakeholders. The present situation calls for the rejuvenation of the Nigerian Navy and greater collaboration with stakeholders. Basically, this is what the year’s Conference is set out to achieve.
5. Distinguished invited guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, you will agree with me that in the recent past, a huge security gap emerged in the efficient discharge of the constitutional mandate of the Armed Forces of Nigeria including the Nigerian Navy. To this, the Federal Government took the bull by the horn by addressing most of the challenges especially as it concerns platform acquisitions for the Nigerian Navy. I therefore believe that this Conference would provide a veritable platform to proffer workable solutions in addressing the related challenges in an attempt to complement the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is hoped that this forum will facilitate the much-needed discourse towards identifying viable concepts and constructive collaborative action plans that will support this strategic-level initiative.
6. It is against this backdrop, that the theme of this conference: “Enhancing Nigeria’s Maritime Security for Improved National Prosperity”, was conceptualised. The objective of the Conference therefore is to develop synergy that would enhance our collective preparedness to meet our constitutional responsibilities that will ultimately reposition our dear Nation, Nigeria for economic prosperity.
7. At this juncture, may I once again sincerely appreciate our esteemed Chief Host, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for extending the warmth and hospitality of the State to this illustrious audience. Let me also acknowledge and thank all the distinguished personalities, organisations and friends of the Nigerian Navy that have contributed in one way or the other to making this Conference a reality. To our distinguished invited guests, it is my hope that you will make out time to savour the wonderful delight of this great ancient city of Kano as the Conference progresses.
8. Finally, I wish Your Excellencies, distinguished guests and participants successful deliberations. Once more, I welcome you all to the 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff Annual Conference. Thank you all, God Bless, and Onward Together.
AZ GAMBO
Vice Admiral
September 2021 Chief of the Naval Staff