Navy Holds Route March in Abuja, Tasks Troops on Fitness
Nigerian Navy personnel on Saturday embarked on a route march across parts of Abuja to boost physical fitness and operational readiness.
The exercise, which commenced at about 5:30 a.m., took off from the A.Y. Roundabout and terminated at the Naval Base Parade Ground, Asokoro.
Addressing participants at the end of the march, the Director of Manning at Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Kolawole Oguntuga,
said the Armed Forces remained a critical institution in sustaining Nigeria’s unity and stability.
He urged officers and ratings not to be discouraged by ongoing security challenges across various theatres of operation, stressing that their role in national security remained indispensable.
“Gentlemen, we may be in various theatres of operation, but we must not be discouraged by what is happening. The Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remain one of the institutions holding this country together,” he said.
Oguntuga emphasised the need for sustained physical and mental fitness among personnel, noting that such preparedness was essential for the effective discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
“For us to sustain this fight for enhanced national security, we must be physically and mentally fit. This exercise should not be a one-off; it must be sustained individually,” he added.
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The senior naval officer also highlighted the confidence reposed in the military by Nigerians, citing the reactions of residents who watched the procession.
“As we moved this morning, we saw the excitement on the faces of civilians. They have hope in us and confidence in what we represent. We must not let them down,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces to remain a formidable force in defending the country, expressing optimism about success in ongoing operations.
“We are going to prove that the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces are forces to be reckoned with. Victory shall be ours.
“I want to use the opportunity once again, on behalf of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Idi Abbas, to commend you all for the physical and mental alertness you have shown this morning,” Oguntuga said.
He commended personnel for their discipline and alertness during the exercise and appreciated the support of stakeholders, including other security agencies, road officials, youth corps members, and the media.
Oguntuga also called on the media to continue projecting the efforts and capabilities of the Armed Forces to the public.
“We count on you to showcase our capabilities to the entire nation and the world,” he said.
The route march forms part of routine activities aimed at boosting troop fitness, morale, and operational readiness within the Nigerian Navy.
By PRNigeria
