By Aiyeku Timothy
Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo on Friday, January 29, took over as the 21st Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) after the resignation of Vice Admiral Ibot Ekwe-Ibas.
A handover and inaugural ceremony was therefore held at the Naval Headquarters on Friday.
During the inaugural ceremony, the outgoing CNS urged Gambo to get ready to take and work under intense pressure as he battles sea pirates in a bid to protect Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Few hours before Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas resigned his appointment, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo was announced as the new boss in charge of the Nigeria Navy.
Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, who hails from Nasarawa local government area of Kano State, was born in April 1966.
He was enlisted into the Nigerian Navy in 1984 as a member of the Regular Course 36 and rose to sub-lieutenant four years later.
Meanwhile, the presidency finally lifted the lids on the appointment of the new service chiefs, saying the decision was based on the need to rejig the security structure of the country.
Femi Adesina, a media and publicity aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, said the President felt it was time to appoint new service chiefs, hence the decision to bring in new men with fresh ideas and strategy.
The presidential media aide also faulted the claims that the outgoing service chiefs’ resignation was as a result of a number of security lapses under their tenure and the pressure mounted on the government for their sack.
“The President knew the time to do it and I believe the time has come and that is why it has been done.
“I don’t think it is a matter of right or wrong. It is just a matter of doing what is best for the country at the best time.”
