In a press statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, signed by Willie Bassey, Director of Information, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appoints Real Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu as the new Chief of Naval Staff. Among the newly Officers appointed to respective office are as follows:
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu – National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. C.G Musa – Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. T. A. Lagbaja – Chief of Army Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar – Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun – Acting Inspector-General of Police, Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye – Chief of Defense Intelligence.
The DefenceTimesNG wishes to congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his approach in appointing the new service chiefs, particularly in his effort to ensure inclusive governance in his administration in a quest to balance power. The appointment of Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla As Chief of Naval Staff is highly commendable and in no doubt expected to bring peace in the troubled region of southeast Nigeria.
Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla was born on 20 Dec 68 in Enugu Ezike Igbo Eze north LGA Enugu State, Nigeria. He obtained the WASC from the NMS Zaria in Jun 87 where he graduated as the best boy in Sciences. He had A1 in all subjects except English language. He is a member of the 39 RC NDA, graduated with a BSc in Maths and was awarded sword of honour as the best naval cadet in his course. He was commissioned S Lt on 16 Sep 92 and rose to the rank of R Adm wef 16 Sep 21. He completed the STC NNS QUORRA, Basic Hydrography National Hydrographic School India in May 2000, Junior and Senior Staff Courses AFCSC Jaji in Nov 01 and Jul 06 respectively. He was a participant of NDC Course 22 and was awarded fdc in Aug 14. As part of the Course, he took part in the MSc Strategic Studies programme, University of Ibadan from 2014 to 2015.
The senior officer served on board many ships including NNS AMBE, ARADU, LANA, EKUN, AGU, QUORRA, BEECROFT, DELTA and PATHFINDER. While on board NNS EKUN he took part in the ECOMOG Operations in Liberia in 1996. Also as the Base operations officer in NNS PATHFINDER, he was responsible for coordinating anti illegal bunkering operations as well the entire policing duties of the base. During the period there was a remarkable reduction in illegal activities in the maritime area within the base area of operations.
The senior officer also served as Instructor, CI and Comdt NNHS, SO 1 Survey and DD Instruments NNHO, ADCP, DD Hydro and DPR NHQ, as well as DS/ DARAS NDC and D Audit NASS NHQ. He is currently the DLL NHQ. During his cumulative 6-year tour of duty in NNHS, he taught geodesy, datum conversion, tidal predictions and analysis, satellite surveying, bathymetry, among others. As Comdt, he linked the School with Teledyn Marines, a reputable OEM in the US, which enabled the NN to procure several survey equipment from the company, leading to improvements in practical training. He was also instrumental to the review of the School’s curriculum to align with IHO requirements. During his tour of duty in the NNHO, the senior officer was instrumental to the localisation of tidal prediction and analysis. He participated in the FAO sponsored Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem survey in 2004 and provided professional inputs during the survey and production of the NNHO charts. During his tour of duty at the NDC, he contributed towards the improvement of the College research package and also led the 2018 participants research study tour to China and South Korea. As DLL he was responsible for collating and analysing previous NN Operations and activities with the objective of drawing lessons necessary for doctrinal and operational improvements.
The Senior officer is decorated with FSS, MSS, DSS and GSS. He is a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and also a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association of the UK. He is married to Mrs Ijeoma Ogalla and the marriage is blessed with 2 children. His hubbies include jugging, reading, listening and researching about science and nature.
