The Nigerian Navy has refuted reports by some online media (not Blueprint) that the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral AZ Gambo refused to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.
Director of Information, Commodore Ayo Vaughan in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the reports are “totally lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public.”
He said handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural.
Commodore Vaughan explained that 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,” he said.
He therefore advised Nigerians and to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a figment of the reporter’s imagination.
