The Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. David Adeniran, has said that personnel of the Command must be physically fit to withstand the rigour of securing the nation.
Adeniran said this in his welcome address delivered during the official opening ceremony of the Eastern Naval Command Intra-Command Sports Championship holding in Uyo on Saturday.
The Flag Officer, who was represented by Chief Staff Officer, Rear Adm. Abraham Adeji, said that the essence of the intra-command championship was to develop a naval force that was well trained, organised and highly motivated to discharge its constitutional roles professionally and efficiently.
He added that only physically trained naval officers would be able to rise in defence of Nigeria in ensuring her economic prosperity.
“The Command’s engagement in this championship will enhance personnel’s physical fitness, mental alertness and also foster good sportsmanship among units in the Command and other invited security agencies.
“The building of this relationship will enhance synergy and collaboration for better national security and cohesion in terms of information sharing among security agencies.
“You must note that it is only physically fit personnel that can withstand the rigors of securing the nation,” Adeniran said.
Adeniran said that the eastern naval command would use the championship to identify athletes to represent the command in the forthcoming Nigeria Navy games scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.
The flag officer urged the athletes to put in their best in the competition as the Command look forward to getting the best talents at the end of the championship.
He said that the Nigerian Navy would continue to partner with members of the public to ensure the coastal territory was free of smuggling, advising that members of the public were free to divulge credible information to units in their localities in order to get rid of all forms of criminality.
He said, “Please enjoy as you savor the competitive and friendship of the Command as we showcase our talents. I wish you all Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.
He commended Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel and Akwa Ibom people for hosting the championship.
The Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Monday Uko, Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Akwa Ibom said that the Eastern Naval Command has made successes notwithstanding the myriad of challenges facing the Command.
Uko, who was represented by Mr Paul Bassey, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on sports said that the command in collaboration with other security agencies have been actively involved in the operations across the State to ensure peace and security.
He said that the command has been a forerunne in the fight against illicit goods and persons, especially contraband rice into the country through the waterways.
“The Command’s successes in this area encourage and protect local farmers of rice as it removes the unfair competition from foreign rice.
“In addition, boosting of Federal and state governments’ program on rice production has helped to create employment opportunity for our teeming youths.
“I urge the Eastern Naval Command not to rest on it oars but sustain its patrols efforts in order to totally frustrate criminals and miscreants, especially as we prepare for the 2019 general elections,” Uko said.
According him, the military generally recognised the role of sports in individual wellbeing and nation building, adding that personnel were not only encouraged to engage in sports to foster healthy competitions among personnel and units.
He added that sports was unifying force that brings the people together, stressing that explains why whenever there was major tournaments, the people forget their differences and line up behind the national teams.
Our correspondent reports that the contingent in the Intra-Command Championship were drawn from Calabar zone, Uyo zone, Port Harcourt zone and the Fleet.
The events to be competed for during the championship incude football, volleyball, swimming, badminton, lawn tennis, table tennis, tug-of-war and golf, among others.
