Nigerian Navy Promotes Female Officer, 29 Other Commodores to Rear Admirals

Nigerian Navy Promotes Female Officer, 29 Other Commodore to Rear Admirals

The Nigeriann Navy on Thursdsy decorated two recently promoted Rear Admirals, Rear Admiral Jamaila Malafa (female) and Rear Admiral Preston Efedue with their new ranks.

The senior officers who were part of 30 Commodores whose elevation to 2-star generals (Rear Admirals) were approved by the Nigerian Navy board in December 2022 were decorated by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo

A statement by Commodore AO Ayo-Vaughan, Director of Naval Information recalled that 28 of the officers were decorated on 21 December 2022, while the remaining two were promoted unto retirement hence their decoration commonly called shipping of stripes in naval parlance was postponed till their time of retirement

While Rear Admiral Preston Efedue hails from Delta state, Rear Admiral Jamila Malafa hails from Adamawa state.

Rear Admiral Efedue was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 1991 and he holds a PhD in Diplomacy and International Affairs. He has held several appointments during the course of his career.

Notable amongst them are; Director of Marine Services, Deputy Commandant Naval War College and until his retirement, he was the provost marshal of the Nigerian Navy.

On the part of Rear Admiral Malafa, she hails from Adamawa State and joined the Nigerian Navy in 1988. She holds a Masters Degree in Constitution/Criminal Law from the University of Lagos and International Maritime Law from International Maritime Law Institute, University of Macida, Malta. She has equally held several appointments within and beyond the borders of Nigeria.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo during the ceremony congratulated the newly decorated Rear Admirals for reaching the peak of their career and urged them to justify the confidence of a proud and deserving nation.

In furtherance, he reiterated that there has been a reduction in piracy which culminated into delisting Nigeria from the list of International Maritime Bureau list of Piracy Prone Countries and removal of War risk premium leading to reduced cost of insurance from $5000 to $960 for Merchant Ships coming to Nigeria.

He further used the opportunity to pledge his unalloyed loyalty and appreciation to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In response to the kind gesture, Rear Admiral Efedue quoting Brian Brown said “what separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude”. On that note, he appreciated the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Minister of Information and Culture as well as everyone present.

Present at the event, were the President National Council of Women Society, Hajia Lami Baba, Legal Colleagues, Principal Staff Officers of the Naval Headquarters, friends and family members of the celebrants.