Posts in category: Operations and Exercises

From 15 – 17 Oct 24, the Units in Eastern Naval Command within Calabar area of the Nigerian Navy conducted a 3-day Small Arms Firing Exercise (SAFEX) at the Nigerian Police Shooting Range, in Asabanka Community, Akpabuyo Cross River State. The SAFEX commenced with an address by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, at the NNS VICTORY parade ground. During the address, the FOC emphasized the strategic importance of the exercise in enhancing the combat readiness of naval personnel.

The 3-day SAFEX involved full-scale live-fire drills, with active participation from all Units in the Calabar area. Gunnery instructors from the Nigerian Army 13 Brigade, Calabar were also co-opted to provide expert support and assist own naval gunnery team. On each day, the Exercise commenced with safety brief and weapon handling instructions. The range classification involved firing several weapons at various distances; 200m, 100m and 50m on prone, kneeling and standing positions respectively. Each participant had the opportunity to fire live rounds at fixed standing targets and a record of shots on target were collated accordingly. Highlights of the SAFEX was the participation of NYSC and journalists, who were given the opportunity to handle and fire rifles for the first time.

At the end of the firing exercise, empty rounds were retrieved from the range site and all participants were cautioned and searched in line with military traditions. Media briefing was also conducted by the CSO ENC and Commander NNS VICTORY at the end of the activity. During the press briefing, the Senior Officers emphasized the commitment of the NN to enhancing the professionalism and mission readiness of her personnel for combating emerging security threats in the Country.

The exercise was concluded successfully and it achieved its primary objectives of improving small arms proficiency among naval personnel, reinforcing joint-service cooperation, and enhancing overall operational readiness.

#NigerianNavy

#OnwardTogether

1.       Health awareness campaigns are organized efforts designed to inform and educate the public about specific health issues, diseases, or conditions. These campaigns aim to increase knowledge and change attitudes among the general public. They are also conducted with the aim of encouraging behaviors that promote better health outcomes. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, which is related to the smallpox virus. The disease is primarily found in central and West African countries but has recently recorded outbreaks in other parts of the world.

2.   In view of containing the disease and curtailing the possible spread of mpox among NN personnel and their family members, NHQ directed all Comds and Autonomous units to conduct health awareness campaigns. On   Sat 24 Aug 24 ENC conducted a health awareness campaign on MPOX which held in barracks within Calabar General area. The programme which was coordinated by NNRH Calabar, commenced at about 0900 with several health talks on the disease given by participants and distribution of educational materials.

3.   NNRH Calabar was tasked to coordinate the Exercise and in compliance, resource persons were drawn from personnel of the Public Health Department.

4.  The Campaign Team departed NNRH Calabar at about 0900 for NN Officers’ Quarters, Ikot Ansa. while enroute, the attention of the public was drawn with music on loud speakers as well as voice input from the medical staff.

5.    The team witnessed a large target population at 1006 Officers Quarters Calabar and NN Barracks Akim. After the campaign at Akim Barracks, the team departed for NN Barracks Atimbo.  On completion at the last visited barracks, the campaign team returned to NNRH Calabar at about 1158.

6.   During the Exercise, awareness talks were given by several Public Health personnel as well as NYSC members serving with the NN. Awareness hand bills were also distributed to individuals. Highlights were given on the origin of mpox as well as the current world distribution/ epidemiology status of the disease. The Campaign team also communicated to the target audience the modes of transmission as well as signs and symptoms of mpox. Personnel and their families were encouraged to adopt various preventive measures to curtail the spread of the disease. They were also urged to as a matter of emergency, report any suspected cases. Educational pamphlets were distributed extensively during the course of the Exercise.

Relevant pictures attached. #OnwardTogether

On Saturday, 24 August 2024, at about 1030, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, offered grants to NOWA and NARAWA members of Calabar Chapter. The event which took place at the NOWA Secretariat Atimbo had in attendance the Command Admin Officer, Capt. DF Duyile, who represented the FOC East, Commanding Officer Barrack Maintenance Unit Calabar, Capt. SS Garba, The Zonal Coordinator Eastern Naval Command, Mrs Hadiza Zipele, and members of NOWA and NARAWA Calabar chapter.

The FOC in his remarks praised the women for their dedication in managing their households in the absence of their husbands and encouraged them to use the grants to start businesses to support their families amidst the rising costs of living. About 13 members of both NOWA and NARAWA members benefitted from the grant.

The NOWA Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Hadiza Zipele, and Deputy Director, Mrs. Ifeoma Nmoyem, provided insightful advice to the women on how to effectively utilize the grants to achieve financial independence and long-term profit. Additionally, Captain SS Garba, Commanding Officer of the Barracks Maintenance Unit Calabar, expressed his gratitude to the FOC and NOWA leadership for their efforts at enhancing the welfare of women. He urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to engage in business activities that would contribute to the socio-economic development of the barracks. The event ended at about 1230 with Vote of thanks from beneficiaries and group photographs.

Relevant pictures attached. #OnwardTogether

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, has been graciously extending the medical services of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital Calabar to the communities within the Area of Responsibility. One of such free medical cares to these communities is the Medical Rhapsody conducted in Calabar, Cross River State. These free medical care services are specifically tailored towards women, children, the less privileged and elderly people in such communities. #OnwardTogether

The Eastern Naval Command, led by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, organized a one-day Inter-Agency Seminar on Tuesday, 25 June 2024; at the Nigerian Navy Primary School Auditorium, Ikot Ansa, Calabar. The objective of the Seminar was to bring together various security agencies to foster collaboration, share best practices and explore innovative solutions to common challenges especially at the tactical level. The Theme of the Seminar was “STRENGTHENING INTER-AGENCY COOPERATION AMONGST SECURITY AGENCIES AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL: A PANACEA FOR OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS”. Accordingly, the Seminar was conducted successfully with a large turnout by sister services, security agencies and paramilitary agencies in the Calabar area.

It is now apparent that inter-agency strife & rivalry may well be a thing of the past in Eastern Naval Command area of responsibility. #InterAgencyCooperation #NigerianNavy #OnwardTogether

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral SA Akinwande, flags off the Eastern Naval Command Intra-Command Communications and Cyber Drill Competition 2024!
Venue: NNS VICTORY. Date: 25 – 28 June, 2024. Time: 8.00 am. #OnwardTogether

The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara was the Special Guest of Honor at the commissioning ceremony of the new site of the relocated Headquarters Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) in Ebubu community of Eleme LGA, Rivers State on Friday 26 April 2024. According to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, the relocation marks a significant strategic move by the Nigerian Navy, underscoring the importance of having the HQ NAVTRAC in the riverine environment that Rivers State provides.

Additionally, the CNS also commissioned the Rear Admiral MAB ELEGBEDE Hall situated inside HQ NAVTRAC after the Governor unveiled the commissioning marble for the command. Also in attendance was Honorable Babajimi Benson who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives. #OnwardTogether

The Opening Ceremony of Eastern Naval Command 2024 Intra-Command Volleyball Competition held on Wednesday 28 February 2024 at Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY Volleyball Court. The Commandant Naval War College Nigeria was the Special Guest of Honour with other dignitaries from sister services and security and para-military agencies in attendance. The closing ceremony took place on Saturday 2 March, 2024. #OnwardTogether

The Portrait of RAdm SA Akinwande.