EXCLUSIVE: Navy Decorates 19 Officers in Lagos

The Nigerian Navy (NN) authorities in the Western Naval Command (WNC) area of responsibility (AOR), yesterday decorated 19 officers of different ranks including the rank of commodore. 

While five captains were promoted to commodores, six commanders were decorated with the ranks of captain and eight lieutenant commanders made the rank of commanders.

The newly decorated commodores were Esther Ogbonnaya, RO Mohammed, Abidemi Ayinde, Baribuma Kole and JI Ogazi, while those that made the captain's rank include, Ifeanyi Okpala, Bobmanuel Effiong, Mattew Babalola, Isa Ahmed and HS Zego.

Also, the newly decorated commanders were, Adams Aliu, IS Ibechi, Babatunde Kuton, Mohammed Yusuf, Abubakar Aliyu, Nzeribe Abangwu, BA Udeani and SI Ocholi. 

At the decoration ceremony which was held at the auditorium of the NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Lagos, were the Flag Officers Commanding (FOC), WNC and Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Admirals Ibok-Ette Ibas and Goddy Anyankpele, respectively.

Others include, the Chief Security Officer WNC, Rear Admiral JKZ Ango; the Fleet Commander West, Rear Admiral LON Iwuoha; the COO WNC and the CO NNS WEY, Commodores IO Mohammed and ER Yakubu respectively. 

While addressing the newly decorated officers, the FOC WNC, Rear Admiral Ibas, charged them to rise up to the responsibility the new rank had saddles them with.

He said, "I congratulate you for making the list of those the NN and the Armed Forces considered worthy of wearing the new ranks.

"You must rise up to the responsibility of the new rank you have been bestowed with. We expect the best from you as we are aware of the current security challenges facing the nation.

"As officers, you have been entrusted with protecting the nation's maritime domain from external aggression as well as other criminal activities going on in that purview."

Speaking on behalf of other decorated officers, Commodore Esther Ogbonnaya, pledged to intensify their efforts in carrying out their constitutional roles.