Authorities of the Nigerian Navy have debunked reports alleging that the outgone Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, has refused to hand over to his successor Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, describing it as total lies and falsehood.
Social media was agog with reports that the immediate past CBS has refused to hand over to Ogalla who was appointed on Monday, June 19.
A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo- Vaughan, on Wednesday, June 21, said that 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.He described the rumor of Gambo refusing to handover as false and total lies.
‘The attention of the Naval Allegation of Outgone CNS’s Refusal to Hand Over Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious publication by some online media, alleging the refusal of the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral AZ Gambo to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral EI Ogalla.
The media reports are totally lies, misleading and 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.
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.
Instructively, 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.
Members of the public are therefore advised to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a figment of the reporter’s imagination.”