For his conscientious dedication to duty, the Navy Town communities recently honoured the immediate past Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship WEY, Rear Admiral Mohammed Dahiru. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that from security to environmental sanitation, maintenance works and even medical outreaches, the communities scored him high
For the Navy Town host communities, Rear Admiral Mohammed Dahiru, the immediate past Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship WEY, was deserving of everything good. Under his leadership, the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the host communities had soared to an all time high.
Recently, on a certain Saturday, a mammoth crowd converged on the grounds of the Nigerian Navy state-of-the-art stadium in Navy Town to celebrate his recent promotion from a Commodore to the enviable rank of a Rear Admiral as he ended his tour of duty at the unit.
For Nigeria Navy Ship WEY that administers 10 barracks areas, the unit, one of the several in the Nigerian Navy is located inside Navy Town in Satellite Town and operates under the ethos of “Service, Honour and Security”.
Named after Vice Admiral Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey, a retired Chief of Naval Staff, the unit has been led gracefully and efficiently by Rear Admiral Dahiru, a feat that earned him the adoration of host communities.
Traditional rulers that graced the occasion were Chief Babalola Babatunde Shabi, Baba of Kirikiri/Apapa Town; Chief (Mrs.) Maryam, Iyalaje of Amuwo and Iyaloja of Kirikiri Town; Tunleshe Balogun of Kirikiri Town; Waziri Umar Yusuf’s senior brother; Chief Aro of Imore; Chief Eletu- Oba of Imore and a host of others.
Others include the Secretary of Oriade LCDA, Hon. Romotalai Akinola Hassan, Mr. Rasaq Akorede Olojede; Commander of the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Surgeon Captain Ikechukwu Chukwuka; Captain Idongesit Udoessien, the CO DB Abuja; other naval officers of the unit; DPO Kirikiri, CSP Olaniran Ismail; Deputy Comptroller, Kirikiri Maximum Custodial Centre, Balogun Sikiru; and DCC Diala of Kirikiri Female Custodial Centre.
Many residents of the host communities in attendance told THISDAY that it wasn’t a chore to turn out en mass to celebrate the then commander because he had proven over time that he had their interest at heart.
So on that fateful Saturday, the respective communities thronged the stadium in Navy Town and had fun while celebrating the commander.
From the respective traditional dances to football tournament, taekwondo, the match past by female soldiers as well as prayers for the commander, the mammoth crowd truly showed up and out for the commander.
Fostering CMR through Medical Rhapsodies
In this regard, the host communities opined that Rear Admiral Dahiru had done extremely well in fostering and reinforcing its commitment to its host communities.
Citing the two medical outreaches NNS WEY recently conducted for Kirikiri Town and Navy Town residents, both in Oriade Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos, they opined that it went a long way to foster civil-military relations.
The exercises featured a range of medical services starting with public health talks, vital signs check, blood pressure check, blood sugar checks, distribution of treated mosquito nets, eye test, dental checks, and even likelihood of surgery for chronic cases at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital inside NNS WEY.
According to Dahiru, the initiative was in line with the directives contained in the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, Strategic Directive 2023-6.
Environmental Sanitation
Beyond the medical outreaches, NNS WEY had also severally carried out environmental sanitation for its hosts. According to Rear Admiral Dahiru, the reason was not far-fetched; it was aimed at enhancing the overall health and well-being of the residents, as well as contribute to environmental beautification of the host communities.
Foodbank for Widows in Navy Town
Another way through which Rear Admiral Dahiru endeared himself to the community was the Foodbank Initiative for Widows. A flagship program of Hands of God Widows Support Initiative (HOGWIN), its annual Widows Foodbank program designed to support indigent widows across communities particularly during the yuletide season.
Through the Foodbank initiative, HOGWIN provides a solution to the challenge of SDG 2- end hunger. Last year, the Foodbank initiative was delivered to widows of the Navy in collaboration with Straight Outta Navy Town with compliments of Rear Admiral MY Dahiru.
The event saw 150 widows in attendance who received food items including rice, oils, eggs and other condiments.
Improved Security
Not limited to its provision of accommodation, road maintenance and even providing basic amenities, NNS WEY under Rear Admiral Dahiru had ensured improved security for the unit and its host communities. This he did through increased patrols, adequate perimeter fencing.
Beyond the barracks, the unit had ensured the security of its immediate environment. Its constant patrols on the Mile2/Badagry Expressway and Alakija- Satellite Town corridor tackled the menace of traffic robbers who usually take advantage of the perennial traffic snarls to rob motorists.
About Rear Admiral Mohammed Yakubu Dahiru
Rear Admiral Mohammed Yakubu Dahiru was born on July 12, 1972 in Katsina and hails from Katsina Local Government Area of Katsina State. He enlisted into Nigerian Navy as a member
of 43 Regular Course and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on September 21, 1996.
The senior officer has attended several academic and military courses. He obtained Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Masters in International Affairs and Strategic Studies from Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
He also obtained Masters Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as well as Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.
The military courses attended by the senior officer include Sub-Technical Course and Officers’ Long Course (Communications) – Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Military Police Officers’ Basic Course – NASMP Basawa Zaria, and the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji. Rear Admiral Dahiru attended National Defence Course as a member of Course 26.
The senior officer has held several appointments amongst which are Watch Keeping Officer – Nigerian Navy Ship OFIOM and Nigerian Navy Ship ARADU, Security Officer and Staff Officer Grade 2 Provost Naval Headquarters, Assistant Provost Officer – Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, Regulating Officer – Nigerian Navy Engineering College Sapele and Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA, Ships’ Communication Officer – Nigerian Navy, Ship KYANWA, United Nations Military Observer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Commanding Officer of Burma Battalion – Nigerian Defence Academy, Merchant Vessel AMARYA, Nigerian Navy Ship YOLA, Nigerian Navy Ship BURUTU and Naval Outpost ONITSHA. He was also the Executive Officer – Forward Operating Base BONNY.
Additionally, the senior officer served in Naval Headquarters as Staff Officer Grade 1 Records and Assistant Director (Records) respectively. He was two times Deputy Provost Marshal, and a Directing Staff at the National Defence College Abuja. He was also once the Director of Administration at Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna before his just concluded appointment as Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship WEY.
The senior officer attended the INTERPOL General Assembly in Chile 2019 and participated in the Africa Sea Power Symposium 2021. He also attended the London Policing College Seminar 2022.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Star for his unblemished service to the Nigerian Navy and the nation in general. He is a distinguished fellow of the National Defence College, associate member Chartered Institute of Shipping and member National Institute of Management and Society for Peace Studies and Practice.
A stickler for perfection and discipline, the senior officer is married and blessed with four children. He enjoys sports and reading.
