Following the recent saga, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retired), the outgoing Chief of Naval Staff, will hand over to his successor Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla on Friday.
Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the service’s spokesperson, made this statement in the midst of rumors that Gambo had refused to leave his position.
On Monday, Tinubu, the president, declared the immediate resignation and replacement of the Service Chiefs.
Ayo-Vaughan referred to the reports as untrue and stated that the Navy has a system that must be followed when giving over and taking over.
He claimed that before leaving his position, Gambo was required by naval custom to go on certain trips and provide Ogalla with thorough briefings.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious publication by some online media alleging the refusal of the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo CFR, to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral EI Ogalla. The media reports are total lies, misleading, and capable of spreading falsehoods to unsuspecting members of the public. It is therefore necessary to set the record straight.
“Suffice to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural. Upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give a 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, June 23, 2023 in line with age-long naval tradition.