Nigerian Navy Debunks Allegation Of The Outgoing CNS Refusal To Hand Over
The Evangelist News Edition, Thursday, June 22, 2023. By Simeon Ogoegbulem June 22, 2023
The Naval Headquarters has denied allegations of the refusal of the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral AZ Gambo CFR to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.
The media space was awash with reports that the outgoing CNS has refused to hand over to the newly appointed CNS, Rear Admiral Ogalla, describing the allegations as “totally lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public”.
In a statement by Cmdr Ayo Vaghan, Director of Information, the Naval Headquarters explained that “handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural”.
Vaghan stated that “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.
He further noted that “it is pertinent to mention that sister Services are also due to hand over as they have set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies”.
The director therefore, urged members of the public “to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a figment of the reporter’s imagination”.
