Warrant Officers’ Convention: CNS reiterates importance of professionalism among naval personnel

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has restated the importance of excellent work ethics and professionalism among naval personnel, in order to maintain the proficiency of service that is identified with the Navy.

The CNS stated this on Monday when he spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the opening of Third Nigerian Navy Warrant Officers’ Convention themed “Optimizing Nigerian Navy Operations through Effective Warrant Officers’ Leadership.”

The two-day convention is holding at the Admiralty Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island-Lagos.

Speaking on the essence of the convention, Vice Admiral Gambo said: “The need to collectively strive to build a credible Navy capable of discharging its constitutional roles and assigned tasks in a sustainable, efficient and effective manner calls for continuous enlightenment and deliberate reawakening of the tenets of professionalism and excellent work ethics among the naval personnel at all levels.

“This expectation is what the convention hopes to achieve as Warrant Officers are expected to be experienced, visible and professionally sound. Thus, they are well positioned to instill discipline within the lower chain of command and to maintain naval customs and traditions.

“It is also worthy of mention that Warrant Officers are an important link between the officer corps and the junior ratings cadre. Hence, it is imperative to emphasize that the operational and administrative goals of the Nigerian Navy cannot be attained without a well-disciplined, knowledgeable and highly resourceful class.”

He noted  that as key players in the lower level of the Nigerian Navy command structure and custodians of unit regimentation, warrant officers are expected to willingly and effectively discharge their responsibilities at all times if professionalism and operational efficiency are to be sustained in the Navy.

Speaking on the contributions of the navy within its constitutional and statutory roles of protecting Nigeria’s territorial waters, the CNS said the navy has been able to tackle different criminalities in the nation’s maritime domain.

“The Service has imbibed the realities of our national imperatives and has applied the most optimal policies and strategies in the protection of the nation’s territorial integrity.

The Nigerian Navy has equally tackled the maritime challenges in our Exclusive Economic Zone up to the Gulf of Guinea. To this end, the Navy has every reason to be proud as our collective efforts have sufficiently reduced illegalities such as; crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, piracy, kidnapping, smuggling, militancy and pipeline vandalism in our maritime domain.

“It is equally gratifying that we have continued to give a very good account of ourselves in support of the other Services in the on-going counter-insurgency operations, especially in the North East. These successes would not have been possible without an enlightened and professional human resource.”

While charging the participants on the need for sustained loyalty, patriotism, diligence and discipline, the CNS also pledged on further improvement of personnel welfare in the areas of housing, transportation system, and training.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commodore Chidi Okpala, the Deputy Director Policy at the Naval Headquarters and the Chairman Organising Committee for the 2021 Nigerian Navy Warrant Officers Convention, spoke on the importance of the convention to building a reliable force in the Warrant Officers cadre.

He said: “The purpose of this Convention is to serve as a veritable platform for intellectual discourse that is aimed at creating an avenue for Warrant Officers in the Nigerian Navy to contribute ideas towards the efficient administration of the Service.

“The Warrant Officers remain a critical bridge between the commissioned and non-commissioned ranks respectively. It is in recognition of this critical role they play as vital links in the human resource hierarchy of the Nigerian Navy that informed the organisation of this Convention.

As it is, the 21 century Nigerian Navy, more than ever before, needs the wealth of experiences of the Warrant Officers to continue to enhance and maintain the operational and administrative efficiency of the Service.

“The Warrant Officers therefore represent the Nigerian Navy ethos, core values and standards and are required to ensure that these high standards are maintained among personnel. Hence, the theme selected for this year’s Convention “Optimizing Nigerian Navy Operations through Effective Warrant Officers’ Leadership.”

He expressed confidence that the forum would “indeed avail the Nigerian Navy the opportunity to discuss with the Navy Warrant Officers, Master Warrant Officers and the Warrant Officers on issues that will aid them in the discharge of their duties for efficient administration and operations of the Service.”