Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies has lauded Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, the former Chief of the Naval Staff, for his doggedness in constructing a robust, forward-looking, and responsive naval force that is able to protect the nation’s maritime environment.
It was noted that the Nigerian Navy achieved a number of commendable milestones under Gambo’s watch in the span of 29 months. These achievements ranged from recapitalization to strengthening collaborative efforts with both national and international stakeholders.
The accomplishments include the delivery of the brand new NNS LANA (new Hydrographic Survey Vessel) and NNS KADA, which is Nigeria’s newest Warship; the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the Refit and Remodelling of Nigeria’s Flagship, NNS ARADU; and placing an order for two high-endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels, which are currently being built by Dearsan Shipyard of Turkey.
On Saturday, the convener, Mary Fatile, issued a statement in which she included these points.
“Under the watch of 57-year-old vibrant Gambo, the first Presidential Fleet Review of the Nigerian Navy has been held since 2010, and it was held in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari. During this event, two new ships and a new helicopter were inducted into service,” said Gambo.
He took aggressive action against oil theft by launching Operation Dakatar Da Barawo, which is considered the largest anti-oil theft military operation in the history of Nigeria. This operation involved the deployment of a number of assets, including 40 warships, 200 gunboats, and five helicopters, among other things.
A portion of the statement read, “This operation recorded the seizure of 728,000 barrels of crude oil, 44.5 million litres of illegally-refined diesel and 2.46 million litres of kerosene, amounting to more than 71 Billion in the first year that he assumed office.”
In addition, the commissioning of the Falcon Eye Alignment, which is both a cutting-edge maritime surveillance and intelligence system as well as one of the most advanced domain awareness systems in Africa, occurred during his time in office.
During Gambo’s tenure, local content work advanced, construction of the third Seaward Defence Boats (SDB-3) was finished, and simultaneous construction of SDBs 4 and 5 was initiated, as noted by Fatile.
She praised Gombo for his efforts in maritime survey and law enforcement, and she went on to say that “In securing the Gulf of Guinea, Vice Admiral Gambo took the lead on the ongoing efforts to establish a Gulf of Guinea (GoG) Naval Task Force, and hosted meetings of the Heads of Navies and Coastguards of the Gulf of Guinea nations in Abuja in April 2023 and in Lagos in May 2023.”
“Gambo has been able to explore and unwrap formidable factors that can guarantee a prepared naval fleet poised to ameliorate maritime insecurity for the prosperity of the mainstay of the nation’s economy. As a result, he has left indelible marks on the sands of time in the Nigerian Navy.
