Mkpoikana Udoma 01 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Nigerian Navy has opened a War College in Ubima Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.The Premises which was originally built for Nigerian Navy Training Establishment now would be housing Naval War College and Nigerian Navy Intelligence School.
Speaking during commissioning of the institution on Wednesday in Ubima, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, said graduates from the school would transform the security situation of the country.
Olonisakin also commended the past governor of the state, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi and the present governor of the state, Chief Nyesom Wike, for their benevolence towards the building of the school.
“We are very happy with the gigantic learning facility laid out before us for use. The navy will forever remain indebted to your good wills and courtesy.
“Navy has relentlessly engaged in massive overhaul of operation support structure and fleet recapitalization and decency priority.”
Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, commended Nigeria’s President for endorsing the establishment of Nigerian War College, saying premium was placed on improving the proficiency of men and officers of Navy to improve security.
Ete-Ibas also said quality training would be required from the institution and that it will enhance security development in Nigeria.
In the meantime, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has decried the high level of insecurity and activities of sea pirates on the waterways, despite donating eight gunboats to the Nigerian Navy to tackle criminality in the state.
Wike said the gunboats were meant for the Navy to secure the territorial waters of Rivers State, and urged the Nigerian Navy to return the gunboats if they are not being used in securing the state.
The governor explained that his administration has made reasonable investments to support and strengthen security agencies to fight crime and ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the state.
According to him, “In ensuring that our people are safe and secured in their homes, offices and neighbourhoods, we have provided eight gunboats for the Nigerian Navy to ply the waters of our state. But let me say clearly, since we handed over these gunboats, I have not seen them plying our waters.
“I said some should be stationed in Bonny, some should be stationed in Kula and some should be stationed in Andoni and Opobo. So that we will not have pirates on our waters.
“So I plead with the Naval Commander that if the gunboats are not to be used, they should return them to us. We provided those gunboats for Rivers State and not for other states to use.
“If they cannot use it in our territorial waters, they should please return our gunboats to us. Every money we have is for Rivers State, it is not for entire Nigeria. Each state gets it’s own federal allocations; so nobody will use our taxpayers money to go and protect another state,” Wike said.
