{"id":5952,"date":"2025-11-11T18:09:49","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pillartoday.ng\/?p=5952"},"modified":"2025-11-11T18:25:55","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:25:55","slug":"cross-river-navy-reiterate-resolve-to-strengthen-maritime-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"pillartoday.com.ng\/?p=5952","title":{"rendered":"Cross River, Navy Reiterate Resolve to Strengthen Maritime Security"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gov. Bassey Edet Otu (L), with FOC, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, during the latter\u2019s courtesy call on the former in Calabar, Tuesday<\/em>.<\/p>\n

By Anietie Akpan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cross River state government and the Nigerian Navy have reiterated their resolve to strengthen collaboration, enhance maritime security and safeguard the state and national coastal assets.<\/p>\n

The State government and the Nigerian Navy reiterated this resolve on Tuesday when the new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, paid a courtesy visit on the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu at the Government House, Calabar.<\/p>\n

While receiving the new FOC, the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has reaffirmed his administration\u2019s commitment to work with the Navy describing the visit as \u201ca mark of seriousness and purpose,\u201d and noting that the promptness of the FOC\u2019s engagement with the state government reflects his readiness for action.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to thank you very much for your seriousness of purpose,\u201d Otu said adding, \u201cI thought it would take some time before we would see your face, but the notice of your visit came immediately, and we suspended everything to receive you. That shows your commitment and the fact that you are ready for action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Governor Otu lauded the Navy for its long-standing cooperation with the state, particularly in ensuring safety across the creeks and waterways.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged that the Eastern Naval Command has been a dependable partner in maintaining peace and curbing maritime crimes within the state\u2019s coastal corridor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecurity has remained one of our top priorities,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have been working very well with the Command to sustain peace and stability. The Nigerian Navy has a deep understanding of this terrain, its marine ecology, creeks, and waterways, and that makes your presence even more strategic.\u201d<\/p>\n

The governor also appreciated the Naval officers in Cross River who continue to serve with distinction, adding that their dedication reflects the cordial relationship between the state and the Navy.<\/p>\n

Earlier in his remarks, Rear Admiral Okehie expressed appreciation to the governor for the warm reception, describing his posting to Calabar as \u201ca homecoming,\u201d having previously served in the state at different times.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy assumption of duty as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command is truly a homecoming,\u201d Okehie said. \u201cI had the privilege of serving here as Commander, NNS Centenary between 2014 and 2016, and later as Commander, NNS Victory from 2021 to 2022. These experiences deepened my appreciation of the cordial hospitality of the people of Cross River and the enduring cooperation between the state government and the Navy.\u201d<\/p>\n

He assured that the Command under his leadership would continue to work closely with the Cross River State government to ensure maritime security, promote the blue economy, and strengthen civil-military cooperation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn line with the mission of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas , the Eastern Naval Command will deploy a highly professional and motivated force capable of safeguarding Nigeria\u2019s maritime interests,\u201d Okehie stated. \u201cWe shall work with your government to enhance maritime security, support blue economy initiatives, and deepen cooperation for the peace and prosperity of our state and nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

He further pledged the Navy\u2019s continued partnership in the state\u2019s drive for peace, sustainable development, and the protection of national sovereignty, adding that \u201cin safeguarding the maritime domain, we preserve also the nation\u2019s peace and prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gov. Bassey Edet Otu (L), with FOC, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Chidozie Okehie, during the latter\u2019s courtesy call on the former in Calabar, Tuesday. By Anietie Akpan Cross River state government and the Nigerian Navy have reiterated their resolve to strengthen collaboration, enhance maritime security and safeguard the state and national coastal assets. The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5953,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5952","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5952","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5952"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5952\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5952"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5952"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"pillartoday.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5952"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}