By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has tasked the newly decorated Naval Warrant Officers (NWO), to maintain high level of discipline and dedication to the service of the Nigerian Navy and the nation at large.
Ogalla, represented by Navy’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, stated this while decorating 19 Senior Non-Commissioned Officers with their new ranks on Monday in Abuja.
He said the elevation of the officers to the NWO was in recognition of their discipline, commitment and dedication to duty.
“Promotion; first of all, they said, comes from God and so, you should see it as an act of God that He has counted you worthy amongst your colleagues whom you started with.
“You know that many of them might have fallen along the way, and even those who are still in service, not all of them were counted worthy to be elevated to this particular enviable rank.
“It is because of your hard work, commitment, dedication to duty, and more importantly, unblemished record.
“You have played key roles before, and now you have been called upon to play even more important roles, because when you are deployed, some of you will find yourself there at the Niger Delta,” he said.
The naval chief charged the promoted officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by ensuring high level of discipline, adding that more would be required from them going forward.
He said that their new ranks would task them with high leadership roles that they would be required to play.
“So, you need to lead by example, lead with courage and even more dedication.
“Now you will be wearing the white uniform and other naval accoutrement like white shoe.
“It is something that demands cleanness and discipline for you to be neat and to appear the way you should appear.
“It will be your responsibility to bring the men together, the ratings together, talk to them, speak the language which they understand and always make sure that you have your acts together.”
Ogalla congratulated the officers and commended their spouses for being their pillars of support at the home front that enabled them to discharge their duties effectively.
Speaking on behalf of the newly decorated NWO, Philip Shishi, commended the gesture, adding that the new ranks had bestowed on them the prestigious title of the ‘Admirals of the Lower Deck’.
He said they were aware that higher ranks come with higher responsibilities.
While assuring their readiness to uphold the sanctity of their new ranks, loyalty and dedication towards actualising the vision of the naval chief, Shishi thanked their families for their patience, understanding and encouragement. (NAN)