By Kennedy Sheyin
The Nigerian Navy has organised an educational outreach in commemoration of its platinum anniversary to promote education and discipline in host communities.
The outreach was carried out at the Byazhin Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, Abuja on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, in his remarks described the outreach as timely as it aligned with annual Children’s Day.
Abbas, represented by Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, commandant of the Naval Base Abuja, said that Byazhin was chosen for the outreach because the navy values the contributions of its host communities.
He said that the Byazhin community was one of the navy’s foremost host communities.
“We are here today to renew the hope of the pupils of LEA School Byazhin, who are our future leaders in the next generation.
“This is because the navy prioritises education as a foundation for development and a catalyst for innovation,” he said.
The CNS also took the pupils on the history of the Nigerian Navy, recounting the force’s growth from 1956 to the formidable force it was presently.
He described the Navy as a guard for Nigerian waters.
He urged the pupils to learn from key values from the navy including discipline, neatness, obedience, punctuality, courage, teamwork and most importantly, patriotism which he defined as love for one’s country.
“Just as soldiers protect the land, the navy protects the waters. Nigeria has a very long coastline, and ships bring food, cars, medicine, and other things to our country through the sea. This makes the sea and the navy very important to Nigeria.
“The navy stops pirates and illegal fishing so that our fishermen can catch fish for us to eat. We also aid in emergencies during flooding in riverine areas by using boats to rescue people and carry food and water to them.
“The navy makes Nigeria proud. We work with other countries to keep the whole Gulf of Guinea peaceful and safe,” he said.
He likened the Navy to a grandparent who has worked hard for 70 years to protect his family, and charged the pupils to study and do their best so that they could become naval officers, doctors, engineers, or teachers.
“The educational materials distributed today are just a token to support the learning journey of pupils who fall within one of our host communities.
“It is hoped that this will foster greater interest in you for the navy and towards a brighter and rewarding future” he said.
The Head Teacher of LEA Byazhin, Mrs Tabitha Solomon, in her remarks appreciated the Nigerian Navy for selecting the school as the beneficiary of the outreach, adding that it has brought joy to her and her students.
“We are so grateful. God in his infinite mercy will bless the Nigerian Navy. On behalf of the students and all the teachers, I want to thank you. We really needed this.
“And after this outreach, it is our prayer that we will get naval officers out of these children,” she said.
She wished the force another 70 years of success and greater achievements.
The Bwari Area Council Chairman, Mr Joshua Ishaku, represented by the speaker Dogara Jacob also appreciated the navy for choosing to celebrate its 70th anniversary in their his domain.
“We are delighted with this kind gesture you have brought to us. We do not take it for granted. We count ourselves privileged to have this opportunity in FCT, we are very grateful.
“I am not a security personnel, but our children here tomorrow will become security personnel by the grace of God,” he said.
Ishaku noted that the outreach would go a long way in aiding the school as it needed attention in other areas like infrastructure.
He said that the local government council could not do it alone and required assistance which the navy had provided.
He also drew the attention of the security agency to the kidnapping and banditry in the country, and urged them to continue to strive to make the country safer and more conducive for learning for the children.
The head boy of the school, Nwamba Micha’al, also appreciated the Nigerian Navy for selecting the school to benefit from the outreach, saying that the gifts given to pupils would aid them in their studies.
In the same vein, head girl, Blessing Iorerebe, also commended the navy for the educational outreach initiative, adding that it had reinforced her motivation to continue to study and excel in her academics.
Abigail Okoh, another beneficiary of the outreach also thanked the Nigerian Navy for remembering them.
Speaking with newsmen, after the outreach, Oladipo said the Nigerian Navy was proud to celebrate its 70th anniversary, adding that the outreach was one of the activities lined up to commemorate the celebration.
“70 years starts from somewhere, there is a history but there is also a future, these children are the future. They’re the ones that will take over the leadership of the future.
“We are here to sow into them and invest in them for the future so that they can take this country to greater heights, “he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the materials distributed during the outreach include notebooks, school bags, backpacks, pencils, erasers, and rulers. (NAN)
Edited by Deborah Coker
