Nigeria Navy named new Naval War College Accommodation, Calabar after Rtd Rear Admiral Ekpo
BY AKPAN WILLIAMS, CALABAR
The Nigerian Navy has chosen to honor bravery and selfless service Officer, by dedicating its recently constructed War College lodging facility in Calabar by naming the project after Rear Admiral Ekpenyong Itam Okpo, a retired naval officer who served as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command.
During the commissioning ceremony of the War College Accommodation Quarters at the Summit Hills in Calabar recently.
Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, the Commandant of the Naval War College, revealed that the project, which includes four others at the college’s permanent site at Eleven-Eleven, has long been completed within a year.
This accomplishment is truly remarkable according to the Commandant, and further emphasized that the commissioning of the accommodation quarters for the college’s personnel will have a positive impact on the welfare of the members and also the quality of teaching and learning will further improved.
“About a year ago this location was a jungle of a sort, owing to the strategic vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, this project was initiated. This project will no doubt impact on wellbeing and welfare of the college staff and equally impact positively on teaching and learning in the college.”
The noteworthy efforts of Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the former Chief of Naval Staff, in conceptualizing and executing these projects have been lauded by the Honourable Minister.
The fact that these initiatives bear the names of distinguished senior officers, who have made significant contributions to the Nigerian Navy, is a testament to their commendable service.
“Naming institutional structures after senior officers are ways of appreciating the tremendous contribution and support of such distinguished personality” he stressed.
Our correspondent has gathered that Rear Admiral Olusola Oluwagbire, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, stood in for the Chief of Naval Staff at the event.
During the event, the project manager of Falcon Eye Zero Limited Nigeria, Dr. Tamunotonye Felix Owubkiri, briefed the officers in attendance on the exceptional quality of the job done at the ultra-modern accommodation.
Despite the challenges posed by inclement weather and inflation, the quarters were completed at the appropriate time.
“We battled with weather and we battled with inflation as well but we were still able to deliver this edifice in record time. The accommodation consists of 36 self-contained, 24 units of 1-bedroom flats, 8 units of 3-bedroom flats, a generator house, a volleyball court, and a medical center”
The Special Guest of Honour, Retired Rear Admiral Ekpenyong Okpo, responded with great admiration and appreciation towards the Nigerian Navy for the honour of naming their accommodation quarters after him.
With immense pleasure, he reiterated the paramount importance of a comfortable environment in enhancing productivity and urged the personnel to continue their unwavering efforts in safeguarding the maritime territory of Nigeria.
“It gives me great pleasure to be here on the occasion of the commissioning of the ultra-modern accommodation quarters named in my honor as the Naval War College plays a crucial role towards developing senior Naval leaders.”
“It is a well known fact that a comfortable environment is one of the most important factor that can enhance productivity and facilitate continuous improvement” Retd Admiral Okpo stressed said.
