The Nigerian Navy says the 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 Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, are lies and misleading.
A Statement by the spokesperson commodore Ayo Vaughan says the report is 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.
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan, while refuting the report, explained that upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give detailed briefing to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities, and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign.
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Accordingly, he said, 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 added that sister Services are also due to handover as they have set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies,
The Naval Spokesperson, however, advised the public to discountenance the malicious publication, as well as treat the erroneous information contained therein as a figment of the reporter’s imagination.
the Peoples Gazette, in the said report, noted that While other service chiefs have since departed following the June 19 presidential directive, Mr Gambo has lingered in office, saying he has some unfinished business to wind up, according to sources familiar with the development
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
