The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Usman Jibrin, has said that the Nigerian Navy in the last one year has achieved a drastic reduction in crude oil theft.
Jibrin who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin stated this during the Inter-Denominational Church Service, marking the 59th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, at the All Saints Protestant Church, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
He said the Nigerian Navy was working assiduously to rid the country’s waters of illegal activities and has done tremendously well over the past years.
According to the Naval Chief, the success of the navy has been attested to by the drastic reduction in crude oil theft and illegal activities in the country’s maritime environment.
He said: “There is no doubt that the navy is working assiduously to continue to fight the pockets illegal activities that still remain in our maritime environment. And that is why we are grateful to President Goodluck Jonathan for the recent acquisition of needed platforms into our fleet.
“Also, the addition of these platforms will assist the navy in its policing operations and be able deal effectively in the remaining areas of security challenges in our maritime domain”.
Speaking further, Jibrin urged the officers and ratings and civilian staff of the navy to be prayerful, steadfast and faithful adding that the nation was passing through a critical period.
He told the officers and ratings to be peace loving citizens of the country and abide by all the principles that would foster unity in diversity.
As we celebrate, he urged, let us be of goodwill to one another by improving the lives of our fellow human beings and working together to make the navy and the country greater.
Earlier, the Director of Naval Chaplaincy, Rev. Godshelp Osaghae, had in his sermon titled: “Jesus is the Answer”, said with men some things are impossible but with God all things are possible.
Osaghae, taking his text from John 1 verse 1 to 4, said that it was the grace of God that has kept everyone alive.
“As we are celebrating the 59th Anniversary, I commit the navy to the word of God who make all things possible”, he prayed.
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