The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has undertaken a two day operational and administrative visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar Area, in furtherance of efforts to strengthen naval effectiveness, infrastructure development, and personnel welfare in the region.
The visit, which commenced on Wednesday, 7th January 2026, is Vice Admiral Abbas’ maiden tour of the Command since assuming office. On arrival at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, the CNS, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers from Naval Headquarters, was received by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral CD Okehie.
The CNS proceeded to the Nigerian Navy Barracks, Atimbo, where he commissioned two newly constructed 12-by-1 Junior Rates Permanent Accommodation Blocks, designated Block A and Block B. The commissioning ceremony, attended by senior officers, personnel from sister services, and other security agencies, underscored the Command’s commitment to improving the living conditions and welfare of naval personnel.
As part of the visit, Vice Admiral Abbas inspected several ongoing and completed projects, including facilities at the Nigerian Navy Barracks Akim, 1006 Navy Barracks, the Nigerian Navy Hotel and Suites site, the permanent site of the Naval War College Nigeria, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory, the Eastern Fleet, and the NNS Victory Jetty. The inspections afforded the CNS an opportunity to assess infrastructure development, fleet deployment, and overall operational readiness within the Command.
During an operational briefing at the Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, the CNS was briefed by the Command Operations Officer, Rear Admiral CE Oji, on the Command’s activities, challenges, and prevailing security situation. Vice Admiral Abbas acknowledged the issues raised and assured officers and men that the Nigerian Navy would take necessary steps to address them. He urged officers to adopt innovative approaches and “think outside the box” in responding to evolving maritime security threats.
The CNS noted that the visit was not limited to infrastructure inspection but also aimed at evaluating ongoing operations and addressing personnel welfare, which he described as critical to sustaining effective maritime security operations.
In the course of the visit, Vice Admiral Abbas paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu. The Governor commended the Nigerian Navy for its professionalism and sustained operational readiness in the region, acknowledging the security challenges within the maritime domain while expressing confidence in the Navy’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging threats.
The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs and group photographs.
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