Abuja: The Nigerian Navy has organized an educational outreach to commemorate its 70th anniversary, aiming to promote education and discipline in its host communities. The event was held at the Byazhin Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the outreach, which coincided with Children’s Day, was described by the Commander of Naval Base Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, as timely and significant. Oladipo emphasized the importance of the navy’s host communities, highlighting Byazhin as one of the foremost among them.
Oladipo emphasized the navy’s commitment to education as a catalyst for development and innovation. He encouraged the pupils to adopt key values championed by the navy, such as discipline, obedience, punctuality, and patriotism. He explained the crucial role of the navy in safeguarding Nigerian waters and contributing to national security and development.
The commander also provided a brief history of the Nigerian Navy, illustrating its growth since 1956. He urged the students to aspire to become future leaders, including naval officers, and to contribute to various fields. The outreach included the distribution of educational materials to support the learning journey of the pupils.
Head Teacher Mrs. Tabitha Solomon expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Navy for their support, noting the joy it brought to the school. She hoped the initiative would inspire students to pursue careers in the navy.
Representing the Bwari Area Council Chairman, Mr. Joshua Ishaku, Speaker Dogara Jacob also thanked the navy for celebrating its anniversary in their community. He highlighted the need for further improvements in school infrastructure and sought continued support from the navy.
Students, including the head boy Nwamba Micha’al and head girl Blessing Iorerebe, expressed their appreciation for the initiative, acknowledging its positive impact on their motivation and academic pursuits.
Commodore Oladipo reiterated the significance of the outreach as part of the navy’s anniversary celebrations, stating that investing in the education of the younger generation is crucial for the future of Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the materials distributed during the outreach include notebooks, school bags, backpacks, pencils, erasers, and rulers.