Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Abraham Zipele has officially assumed command as the 41st Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command (FOC NAVTRAC) following a handing and taking over ceremony held at the Command headquarters in Ebubu – Eleme, Rivers State.
Zipele took over Command from Rear Admiral Robert Obeya. In his valedictory speech, Rear Admiral Obeya expressed appreciation to personnel of the command for their collective effort at ensuring that great things were achieved during his tenure in the Command and enjoined all to extend the same courtesies to his successor.
He stated that “Even though soldiers actually win the battles, it is the Generals that get the credit. Hence, your individual and collective support eased my burden and I must return all the credit to you all.”
He enjoined the new Flag Officer to build upon his successes, follow through with pending issues and bring them to fruition.
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Zipele thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas for finding him worthy of the appointment.
He assured that the mandate of the CNS at ensuring that NN professional schools conduct effective training to meet the contemporary security challenges will be fulfilled. He commended Rear Admiral Obeya for his achievements and promised to build on his legacies. He therefore solicited for support and cooperation from personnel to achieve the Command’s mandate.
Rear Admiral Ebiobowei Zipele hails from Igbanwari Town in Kolukuma Opukumo Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He is a member of 42 Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned in September 1995. He holds a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Physics from the premier military University in Africa; Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna.
In the course of his military career, he has attended several military courses. Some of which are Sub-Technical Course, Officers Long Course in Navigation and Direction, Counter Terrorism Course at the Defence Intelligence Academy Pakistan. Others are Maritime Security and Trans National Organized Crime Course at the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre Teshie Ghana and the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru Jos.
Some of his past appointments include; Assistant Director Intelligence Analysis Defence Intelligence Agency Abuja, principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Commanding Officer Nigerian Navy Ship OLOGBO, Commandant Nigerian Navy Intelligence School Ubima and Commandant Defence Intelligence College, Karu.
He has also held several appointments in the course of his military career. Some of the appointments are Director Manning Naval Headquarters, Chief Staff Officer Eastern Naval Command and Director of Policy Naval Headquarters.
He is currently the 41st Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command Ebubu-Eleme.
Highlights of the event were the signing of the handing and taking over notes, handing and taking over of the Command Flag as well as the lowering and hoisting of the Command Flag which marked the end of an era and the beginning of another.
