Inaugural Speech by the 23rd Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abass DGSM GSS psc fdc, on assumption of command, 30 October 2025, Naval Headquarters, Abuja
1. It is with a profound sense of honour, humility and gratitude to God Almighty that I stand before you today as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff. I am eternally grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for finding me worthy to lead the Nigerian Navy. I am humbled by the trust bestowed upon me and fully recognise the responsibilities this esteemed office carries. Today marks not just a personal milestone, but also a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to the values and mission of the Nigerian Navy. As I assume command, I, by God’s grace promise to uphold the proud traditions of excellence and service that define our Navy. I am fully aware of the immense
responsibilities associated with this role, and I commit to executing my duties with unwavering dedication, integrity, fairness and loyalty to the Nigerian nation.2. I wish to acknowledge the contributions of my predecessors, whose exemplary leadership has laid a solid foundation for the progress and achievements we have made thus far. In particular, I wish to pay special tribute to my immediate predecessor, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, for his visionary leadership and commendable service. The foundation he has built and the strides made under his command provide a solid platform upon which we must now build. His legacy embodies humility and dedication to the ideals of the Nigerian Navy; we value and honour your service to our dear nation, Sir.
3. The Nigerian Navy has a standing legacy of protecting our nation's maritime domain, from the coastal waters to the deep blue expanse of the Gulf of Guinea. Our officers and ratings have consistently demonstrated courage, professionalism, and resilience. I salute every member of the Navy family for your service and sacrifice. However, I am not unaware that our maritime environment remains threatened by the scourge of crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, Illegal Unreported Unregulated fishing and drug trafficking. These crimes not only undermine our national economy and energy security, but also threaten the livelihoods of our coastal communities and the economic stability and prosperity of our dear nation.
4. To confront these challenges decisively, my tenure will be guided by a clear and actionable strategic approach focusing on strengthening maritime security and combating illegalities, enhancing the operational capability of our fleet through aggressive fleet renewal, use of technology, prioritising training and personnel welfare, as well as fostering inter-agency synergy, regional and international collaboration. Specifically, serious attention will be given to the imperatives of jointness with sister Services and close cooperation with relevant security agencies in the conduct of operations towards tackling the pervasive security threats confronting our dear nation.
5. To all officers, ratings, and civilian staff, the task ahead is demanding, but it is not insurmountable. I call on you to rededicate yourselves to the core values of our service, which are; Integrity, Professionalism, and Teamwork. I wish to reiterate that the Nigerian Navy under my watch will be a professional and accountable institution. We all know that the maritime domain is the lifeline of our economy, and the Nigerian Navy is fully committed to safeguarding it for national prosperity. We will work tirelessly to ensure that our waters are safe for legitimate commerce and the exploration of our blue economy. I demand the highest standards of discipline and moral conduct from every one of you. In return, I promise to lead from the front, to listen, and to ensure that your welfare remains top priority. The journey ahead is a collective one that requires cooperation and synergy with other security agencies and the unwavering commitment of every member of the Nigerian Navy. I am confident that with the support of the Commander-in-Chief and the solidarity of all Nigerians, we shall steer the Nigerian Navy towards a more glorious future.
Thank you, God bless us all and Onward Together!
Comments
Post a Comment