Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The Nigerian Navy has restated its determination to ensure capacity building and welfare of personnel as an important human resource management strategy.
Speaking at the 2023 ratings party held at the Naval Unit, Abuja at the weekend, the Chief of Administration, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Kenneth Ezete, said the Nigerian Navy remained committed to creating a professional naval force.
“Today could not have come at a better time where the Nigerian Navy has put it at the center of its policy to build up her most important resources which is her personnel.
“The leadership of the Nigeria Navy takes it utmost to ensure capacity building for her personnel as well as ensuring their welfare is attended to promptly”, he said.
“It is in this regard that I salute your individual and collective dedication and discipline all year round for being worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Navy in your respective capacities.
“The Nigerian Navy leadership has and will continue to ensure that the welfare of the men is paramount in all aspects and considerations”, he said.
Ezete recalled that the Navy experienced a change in leadership, with the vision of creating a highly motivated professional naval force capable of shaping the security outcomes of the country in fulfilment of national interests both along the coastlines and on-land engagements.
“The Naval Headquarters have considered it important to recognise the collective efforts of our personnel in the discharge of the constitutional mandate of the NN.
“Thus, this party is one of the event earmarked to mark the end of year activities the NN for the year 2023 by creating conducive atmosphere for relaxation for our personnel and their families at the end of a rigorous year”, he said.
He stated that the occasion was designed to take the personnel away from their routine regimented life to an atmosphere where they can unwind and relax freely with one another and strengthen the bond with their respective families.
“Thus, the mission is to maintain and equip a professional, competent and ethical naval force while leveraging on all elements of national power in fulfilment of the NN’s constitutional mandate.
“The importance of the welfare of the men is not lost on the leadership of the NN which also involves capacity building thus, reiterating the idea of putting the man before the machine”, he said.
He maintained that the achievement of the Nigerian Navy for the year 2023 “was largely due to the contributions of our ever ready work force who are eager to brave it all to achieve the desired result.
“I also want to commend Naval Unit, Abuja for the efforts at ensuring a peaceful coexistence with its host community and the general populace”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commander of the Naval Unit, Abuja, Commodore ST Lengaya, commended personnel for the successes recorded in 2023.
“As a navy, our strength has been that of collective will to defend the territorial integrity of our great nation Nigeria from the sea, as such, the successes recorded by the NN in 2023 is also the successes of our esteemed personnel who are the major work force in the realization of our goals. “In you, the NN has found a dedicated, disciplined virile work force capable of meeting up the changing dynamics in operations while achieving excellent result in spite of the challenges posed against you”, he said.
“Thus, it suffices to state that the successes of the Navy are our collective achievements which are shared with all of you and your respective families. Furthermore, it is imperative to state that the importance of the welfare of the men is not lost on the NN.
“This amongst others involves capacity building thus, reiterating the idea of putting the man before the machine. It is in this spirit that today we all gather to celebrate our dear ratings and applaud their tenacity and devotion all year round”, he said.
