By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, at the Government House in Calabar, in a move aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the state government in the area of security and infrastructure support.
The visit formed part of the Naval Chief’s ongoing tour of naval bases and units in Cross River State. Vice Admiral Abbas, who described the engagement as imperative, noted that it was important to first pay homage to the Governor in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state before proceeding on official inspections.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for granting him audience at short notice and commended what he described as the Governor’s focused and visionary leadership. He observed that the infrastructural developments and positive changes across the state were visible and commendable, reflecting purposeful governance.
Vice Admiral Abbas disclosed that he was not unfamiliar with Cross River State, having served in Calabar around 2020 as the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY. He also thanked the Governor for the confidence reposed in the Nigerian Navy to conduct hydrographic surveys of the Calabar Channel, noting that the exercise had been successfully completed and would enhance maritime navigation and safety in the area.
The Naval Chief further used the occasion to seek the intervention of the state government in addressing the challenge of gully erosion affecting some Nigerian Navy barracks and units within the state, stressing the need for collective efforts to safeguard critical military infrastructure.
In his response, Governor Otu congratulated Vice Admiral Abbas on his appointment as Chief of the Naval Staff and described the current security situation in the country as one that demands a proactive, professional and responsive Armed Forces. He commended the Nigerian Navy for the efforts of its commanders and personnel in Cross River State, noting that their operations had contributed significantly to improved maritime security.
The Governor also praised the vision of the Naval Chief, particularly his emphasis on synergy and collaboration with other security agencies, which he said had helped in sustaining peace and stability in the state. He expressed appreciation for the Navy’s role in charting the Calabar Channel, describing the exercise as critical to the state’s maritime and economic activities.
Governor Otu further acknowledged the long-standing historical ties between the Nigerian Navy and Cross River State in the maritime security architecture of the nation, while noting that there remained room for deeper cooperation and expanded engagement in the interest of national and regional security.
The Chief of the Naval Staff was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral J.N. Mamman; the Chief of Logistics, Rear Admiral S.H. Abdullahi; the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral C.D. Okehie; and the Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rear Admiral M.Y. Dahiru.
