The Nigerian Navy on Saturday held a Passing out Parade (PoP) ceremony for a total of 1486 Batch 35 trainees of its Basic Training School in Onne, Rivers.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, who was the Reviewing Officer on the occasion, was received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.
The graduating trainees comprised of one thousand two hundred and forty males and two hundred and forty-six females who passed out successfully after six months of rigorous naval training which included seamanship, boat handling, small arms, rifle drills, endurance training and unarmed combat.
The colorful PoP ceremony signaled the commencement of a naval career for the young male and female Nigerians who have sworn an oath of allegiance to their nation. After the March past in slow and quick time, there was a silent drill display by the trainees, award presentation by the Reviewing Officer and presentation of souvenirs to the dignitaries.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were the representatives of the Executive Governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States and Chairman House Committee on Defence and representatives of the Service Chiefs, Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, and Principal Staff Officers from Defence Headquarters and Naval Headquarters.
