The Nigerian Navy has explained why the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral, Awwal Zubairu Gambo is yet to hand over to the newly appointed Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
This became necessary after some online media alleged that the Naval Chief refused to hand over to his successor.
The Nigerian Navy described as ‘malicious’ the publication in a statement issued by the Director of Information, Commodore Ayo Vaughan on Wednesday in Abuja.
NIGERIAN NAVY DEBUNKS ALLEGATION BY SOME ONLINE MEDIA OF THE OUTGOING CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF’S REFUSAL TO HAND OVER pic.twitter.com/4aPybBrLhK
— Nigerian Navy (@NigerianNavy) June 21, 2023
“The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious publication by some online media such as Peoples Gazette, opr.news, hallmarknews and others alleging the refusal of the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Zubair Gambo to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral EI Ogalla.
“The media reports are totally lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public. It is therefore necessary to put the record straight.
“Suffice to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural. Upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.
“Accordingly, the programme of events leading to the formal handing and taking over ceremony has kicked off to culminate at a public ceremony on Friday 23 June 2023 in line with age-long naval
tradition.
“Instructively, it is pertinent to mention that sister Services are also due to handover as they have set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a figment of the reporter’s imagination.
“You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public.”
It would be recalled that on Monday, June 19, 2023, Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed new Service Chiefs
READ ALSO: President Tinubu appoints new Service Chiefs, others
Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla was appointed as the Navy’s new Chief of the Naval Staff
He will be taking over from Vice Admiral, Awwal Zubairu Gambo
PIAK
