The Nigerian Navy, on Wednesday denied media reports that the recently retired Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, refused to hand over to his successor Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.
The authorities of NN described the reports as totally false.
The Director of Naval Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo- Vaughan, said in a statement on Wednesday, that it is the tradition of the Navy that the outgoing briefs his successor, tour key naval facilities with him and perform the ceremonial lowering of flag.
The Navy Spokes who dismissed the reports as false, malicious and misleading urged members of the public to discountenance it.
“The attention of the Nigerian Navy 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.” Commodore Ayo-Vanghan said.
