Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada
By Senator Iroegbu
The Navy, after several delays and postponements, finally introduced an operational camouflage uniform for its personnel for internal security duties.
The acting Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada, while inaugurating the military uniform Tuesday at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, explained that the Navy at its inception in 1956, adopted the uniforms and accessories of the Royal Navy of Britain with some modification to suit Nigeria’s peculiar climate and operational environment.
Obada said: “Today, the navy is engaged in multiple missions both at home and abroad. Thus, the demand of these combat duties necessitated the introduction of the camouflage into scope of uniform for the navy.”
“With this feat, I congratulate the navy for joining other services and navies all over the world that have introduced the camouflage uniform into their uniform regulation,” she added.
The minister said it was believed that the uniform would further spur the navy to rededicate itself to greater service to the nation.
Earlier, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, said as evolving threats dictate a more combative role for the military, combat rigs like the camouflage uniforms had been adopted into the uniform system of most navies worldwide.
Ibrahim explained that the introduction of the uniform was basically due to the uniqueness of it in blending with the operating maritime environment.
“Similarly, with the increasing combat roles of the navy in internal security as well as in curbing insurgencies in different parts of the country, the scope of its uniforms is gradually becoming inadequate thus, necessitating successive addition,” he said.
“Against this backdrop, the introduction of the camouflage into the uniform system of the navy has become operational expedient. While the blue rig will continue to be used for normal sea cruise and certain fatigue duties ashore, the camouflage uniform would be used at sea and ashore,” he added.
Ibrahim said the camouflage uniform would be used at international arena by the navy contingents in peacekeeping operations.