By Jennifer John
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has expressed the overwhelming appreciation of South East Governors and leaders to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of an Igbo man, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff.
Governor Uzodimma made this assertion in his address during a courtesy visit to him by the Chief of Naval Staff and his entourage at the state Government House, Owerri, yesterday.
“As the chairman of South East Governors’ Forum, speaking on behalf of my colleagues from other states, I wish to say that we are grateful to the Almighty God and Mr President for the appointment.
He poured encomiums on President Tinubu, who he said has put the Igbo on the map, praying that God should give the Naval Chief, the wherewithal to justify the confidence reposed in him and to be a brand ambassador for the South East.
Uzodimma said the visit was another assurance that the security in Imo State and South East at large will improve tremendously.
The governor promised that Imo State Government will continue to support all the security agencies to restore peace in the state, asserting that the Chief of Naval Staff’s appointment is very dear to the political class in the South East.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral E. Ogalla, who appreciated Governor Uzodimma for accepting and approving the courtesy visit, said Imo State is instrumental to achieving their strategic objective, in terms of improving security in the Niger Delta terrain.
Ogalla appreciates the governor for the wonderful support he has been giving to the Nigerian Navy, in approving the connection of their base in the state to the National grid, provision of patrol vehicles, his intervention in the construction of internal roads at the Nigerian Navy School of Finance in Obulenta.
He however pleaded with the governor to consider providing more patrol vehicles to them, to enable them to perform to the optimum.
He promised that personnel of the Nigerian Navy will redouble their efforts in collaborating with other security agents in making sure the state is rid of criminal elements who are causing havoc.
