Ayade Lauds FG On Maritime Security, Harps On Adequate Funding For Calabar War College

By Efa Sunday: Government House Correspondent

The Cross River State Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade has lauded the Ministry of Defence for its untiring efforts, in taming militancy, sea piracy and other maritime vices along the country’s water ways.

Ayade who stated this today during the inauguration of the Naval Warfare Course 3, at the Naval War College Calabar, maintained that “the effort has not only enhance business activities but has also brought relative peace in the State and Nation”.

While appreciating the Navy and President Muhammadu Buhari for the choice of Calabar as the permanent site of the Naval War College, Ayade called on the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding of the war college to meet its peculiar needs, practical training and the tackling of maritime threats along the water corridors.

In his words; “It is my responsibility to celebrate, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff for making Calabar the permanent site for the Nigerian Navy War College because Cross River State gives you an amalgam of a maritime opportunity for practical courses. Your presence will boost economic activities and enhance exports which will be translated into huge foreign earnings for the country’’.

Ayade also urged participants to take their studies serious with the view to acquiring new skills in tackling maritime activities that are inimical to the economy of the country, pointing out that, “Today, the International Maritime Organization places very high premium on all ships coming into Nigeria occasioned by the high level of piracy involving companies. Therefore, you must acquire skills that will enable you carry out the needed legitimate businesses at all times”.

In his presentation before inaugurating the participant of course 3 at the college, Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin congratulated Sen. Ben Ayade for his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial polls in the State and commended him for being a good host to the armed forces, intimating that transnational maritime threats has posed challenge on naval Operations thereby demanding them to evolve more proactive approaches in tackling the menace.