President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday commissioned the Nigeria Navy Logistics College, Dawakin-Tofa, Kano, lauding the contribution and operational support of the Nigeria Navy to end internal security challenges in the country.
The President also commissioned other projects virtually including the 3000-Capacity Ultramodern Correctional Centre, New International Terminal Building of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport as well as the procurement of aircraft, equipment and buildings at the College of Aviation Technology Zaria, Kaduna.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, had on Wednesday June 2021 told Governor Abdullahi Ganduje at his office in Kano of the plans to move the Navy’s Desert Warfare Institute to Kano and to establish the Nigerian Navy Logistics School on the land given to the Nigerian Navy by the State government.
Rear Admiral COR Ezekobe, the then Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Navy, told Governor Ganduje, on behalf of Admiral Gambo: “We are here to actualize the fruitful engagement we had when His Excellency visited us on the 3rd of June. The Chief of Naval Staff directed me to lead this team in actualising some of the promises made to you when you visited the Naval headquarters.
“Our project standing on 12 hectares of land, is a multi-purpose project. We are moving our Desert Warfare of our Special unit to Kano Your Excellency. This unit is highly trained in both the United States of America and Britain. And they are recognized to be of best performance.
“We would also put Nigerian Navy Logistics School on the land given to the Nigerian Navy by the State government.”
The Nigerian Navy’s plan then to site the School of Logistics in Kano, the home State of the Chief of Naval Staff and Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), drew criticisms from many who argued that the State does not deserve a Naval base considering its dry nature.
But commissioning the Logistics School on Friday, President Buhari said the effective conduct of the Nigerian Navy along with other security agencies in the management of internal security has earned and significantly improved security in the country.
Buhari commended the Chief of Naval Staff and his team for a level of infrastructural development and partnership with other institutions, adding that the College will no doubt enhance intelligence opportunities in the management of logistics operations.
Earlier, the Defence Minister, Major General Magashi, asserted that the uncommon gesture and support of President Buhari has propelled the Nigerian Navy to commence major rehabilitation works and construction of additional facilities to set up a world-class military logistics training institution being commissioned.
Magashi, who also spoke virtually explained that the Logistics College has been affiliated with the Nigerian Defence Academy for the award of Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management to student officers on completion of the one-year training.
The Minister who said that efforts were being put in place to accredit the College as a mono-technic that could run National and Higher National Diploma courses for service personnel and civilians, added that Procurement and Supply Chain Management as well as Catering and Hospitality Management courses have been granted provisional accreditation
According to him, the Nigerian Navy Logistics College is a professional training institution saddled with the responsibility of training Nigerian Navy Logistics personnel and those of sister Services, para-military organizations and the civilian populace.
Magashi however expressed profound gratitude to Kano State government for the unflinching support for the realization of this goal especially in the allocation of vast land covering approximately 103 hectares with existing structures at no cost to the Nigerian Navy.