A state-of-the-art Model Government Secondary School built by the Rivers State Government and named after Nigeria’s former ambassador, Nne Krukrubo is now the headquarters of the Naval Training Command.

The school, which is located at Ebubu Community in Eleme Local Government Area of the State, was built under the administration of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who later served as Minister of Transportation.

Fitted with modern learning resources, it was abandoned by his successor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during the commissioning of the new naval facility on Friday, April 26, 2024, the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara noted that his predecessor handed the abandoned and dilapidated structures of the school over to the Nigerian Navy for use. 

Fubara, who donated the sum of N350million to the Navy to boost its operational capacity, urged the Nigerian Navy to prioritize its investment in the professional development of naval personnel.

He further urged the Navy Chief to ensure that such investment translates into visible advancement in the security and prosperity of the nation’s maritime interests and blue economy, noting that the event completed a development journey that started in April, 2023.

“Today, we have seen the results of that noble and progressive decision with the comprehensive transformation and upgrading of the facilities as the Nigerian Navy’s new headquarters training command, which was hitherto domiciled in Lagos State.

“This magnificent training command stands as a testament to the commitment of the leadership of the Nigerian Navy to invest in the professional development of our naval personnel with the singular objective of cultivating a highly skilled, proficient and motivated naval force capable of advancing the security and prosperity of the nation’s maritime interests.”

Fubara observed that the training command was now a remarkable evidence of the President Bola Tinubu’s strides in strengthening the combat capabilities of the Nigerian Navy to deal with the expanded spectrum of maritime security threats that Nigeria is currently facing.

The Governor said Rivers State is a littoral territory with significant deposits of natural resources that was exposed to seaborne security threats, activities of pirates, kidnappers, and pipeline vandals, which impact adversely on the State and national economies, if not effectively tackled.

“This is why we will continue to provide tangible support and work together with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to safeguard the freedom of navigation, combat criminality on our waterways and ensure that the State is safe and secure for business and development to thrive and benefit our people and the nation.

“As you go on to put this training command into full service, my charge to you is to ensure that this sprawling facility is effectively maintained and utilized to expand your operations and activities for national security development.

“I further implore you to provide effective security and development support to the host communities, and live in peace and harmony with the civilian population in the local government area,” the Governor added.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen lamented that Nigeria loses an estimated 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day to theft, giving the Nigerian Navy a challenge to rise up to its mandate of contributing to the survival of the national economy.

Tajudeen, who was represented by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, particularly urged the Nigerian Navy to defend and protect the sovereignty of Nigeria’s territorial waters against all forms of threats.

“Unfortunately, it is estimated that Nigeria loses over 300,000 barrels of crude oil daily to oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of criminality. This has led to revenue loses estimated at N1.29trillion annually.

“Therefore, concerned about the adverse effects of oil theft in Nigeria, I inaugurated a special committee on Crude Oil Theft Loses on November 22, 2023, to determine decisive remedial actions to be taken.

“I commend the Nigerian Navy on the steps taken so far, and I urge the Navy to sustain the momentum.”

On his part, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, thanked the Rivers State Government for the donation of the entire complex to demonstrate the existing cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and Rivers State.

Vice Admiral Ogalla said the relocation of the headquarters of the Naval Training Command from Lagos to Ebubu Community in Eleme LGA of Rivers State will bolster human capacity development of personnel of the Nigerian Navy.

The Chief of Naval Staff also stated that it will strengthen cooperation towards the overall national security while also enhancing national development.

“It will also assist in providing the enabling environment for learning and enable us to carry out the statutory manning of the entire State, and national security of our country.

“This is in line with Mr. President’s mandate given to us to provide the enabling environment for the harnessing of the enormous economic potentials inherent in our blue economy for the overall good, national prosperity and development.”

The Chief of Naval Staff assured that the Nigerian Navy will continue to carry out operations to ensure security of the nation’s maritime domain as well as secure Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region generally.

Highpoints of the event were the presentation of plaques to the Chief of Naval Staff and the Governor by the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Istifanus Albara; as well as a guided tour of facilities at the complex.