The Outgone Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral YB Wambai has charged officers on professionalism and dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment.
The FOC tasked the officers on the occasion of his farewell dinner at the Western Naval Command Officers’ Mess, Apapa.
Wambai, the 41st Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command said it has been an amazing experience working to ensure that Nigerian Navy’s core values of integrity, professionalism and team work is upheld.
He added that the zeal to protect the nation’s maritime domain under the WNC as well as providing the enabling environment for maritime economics activities to thrive within the Command’s Area of Responsibility has been encouraging with the painstaking disposition to succeed due to dedication of officers, ratings and civilian staff of WNC and stakeholders.
“As I exit the Command as the 41st FOC WNC, I feel obliged to remind us of our enormous responsibility to safeguard the maritime environment of our country, Nigeria.
“Instructively, the WNC has continued to discharge this responsibility within the limits of available resources. You will all recall that upon my resumption as the FOC in February 2022, I stressed the need to be dedicated, professional and goal oriented in discharging any assigned tasks.
I am, therefore, pleased to inform us all that within this space of time, the Command has achieved so much in monitoring illegal activities within our AOR as well as sustained presence at sea and waterways.
“In return to the commitment of the personnel, myself and my team at the Command HQ ensured that the welfare and administration of personnel was attended to timely.
“In this guise, the Divisional System was reinvigorated, the Command conducted seminar on work and life balance. Bases and units were encouraged to pay closer look to personnel attitude both off and during working hours.
“It is not lost to the leadership of the Command that a serene workspace enhances productivity hence, the certain offices in the HQ were remodeled to create the required ambience and aesthetic in the Command HQ. The efforts no doubt produced the desired results,” he said.
Wambai said the command had been able to achieve most of it’s set targets in the last 14 months in spite of some challenges.
He said in the last one year or thereabout, the Command successfully keyed into the vision and mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo and worked in line with the Strategic Directive 05 – 2021 to ensure that decisions and actions are in tandem with Nigerian Navy Pillars of Transformation.
“It has been a remarkable experience for me to lead you all as a team, providing focused direction and following through to our goals. Talking about goals, upon my assumption of office, we were able to embark on some laudable projects and reforms aimed at repositioning the Premier Command.
“In terms of operations delivery, the Command participated in joint, combined and single service operations such as OP OKUN ALAAFIA-II, OP ACCORD and DAKATAR DA BARAWO.
Others are OP MESA which is Lagos State IS Ops and OP AWATSE a DHQ led Ops where the Command doubles as the Joint Force Headquarters.
“Additionally, the combined surveillance efforts of NAB OJO and MDA systems enhanced the Command’s drive in sustaining presence at sea. It is worth mentioning that the patrol efforts of the patrol efforts of the Command to curb illegalities within WNC AOR yielded results in drastic reduction of sea robbery and other maritime crime activities.
“This achievement was acknowledged by the International Maritime Bureau in their report of 3 Mar 22 which removed Nigeria from the list of nations of high piracy risks/robbery in International Water. There is no doubt that the participation of the Command through these Ops has assisted significantly in curtailing criminal activities in Lagos and environs.
“During the period under review, the Command also participated in both local and multinational sea exercises. The Command was able to conduct command level sea exercise in every quarter of the Year 2022.
“This met the directive for the Command to conduct at least one Command Level Sea Exercise every quarter. To this end Passex was conducted with visiting foreign ships when available or with own fleet as well as multinational exercises such as Incremex or Exercise GRAND AFRICAN NEMO.
“Notably, in the first quarter of Year 2023, the Command hosted a multinational exercise called Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS 2023 from 13 Jan – 3 Feb 23.
“This served as the first quarter Sea Exercise for ships of the Western Fleet. Albeit, these exercises ensured presence in own AOR and prepared the ships for Ops engagement.
“In line with attaining the diplomatic role of the Navy, the Command received ships from 9 different Countries that made port calls to Lagos.
Participation in the aforementioned exercises and operations ensured that the Western Fleet remained at a high state of operational readiness and also provided veritable platforms for strengthening collaborative efforts with international navies. Thus achieving the military and diplomatic role of the NN,” he said.
The FOC added that the modest accomplishments would not have been possible without the support of the Chief of Naval Staff adding that he gave the direction and ensured availability of resources.
He acknowledged the support of officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Command and the contributions of the Bases and Units Commanders.
“I acknowledge and appreciate your commitment, hard work, loyalty, dedication and display of professionalism towards achieving our collective goals.
“As I step out, I urge you all to continue to give unwavering support to the incoming FOC and render unalloyed loyalty to our great nation, Nigeria. Overall, it has been an eventful tour of duty as your Flag Officer Commanding, a period I shall cherish forever. I really appreciate and enjoyed the camaraderie,” he said.
Wambai also commended personnel of sister Services, para-military organizations and friends of the Command and Stakeholders that have contributed to the success achieved.
“I pray that the Almighty God will reward you all abundantly. To officers and ratings of WNC, I urge you to up your game, redouble your efforts and continue the good works in order to achieve the deliverables as contained in the CNS Strategic Directives.
“To our invited guests, I thank you for honouring our invitation even at short notice amidst your tight schedule and other engagements, you are most appreciated.
“Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I once more extend my most profound gratitude for your individual and collective support for the WNC. I wish you all the best in your endeavours. Thank you, God bless and Onward Together,” he said.