By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, on Thursday inaugurated places of worship at the Navy town Asokoro Abuja, and advocated spiritual solutions to the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
Ogalla said the Nigerian Navy recognised the place of spiritual upliftment of its personnel, hence the need to pay attention to places of worship for both Christians and Muslims.
He said that addressing the challenges of insurgency, terrorism and other forms of threats required a whole of society approach, of which the spiritual solution was part of.
“We recognise that the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of irregular threats that are facing us today are challenges that require a whole of society approach.
“So, while we look for the military solutions, we also believe that the spiritual solution is part of what we need to be able to surmount them.
“And these places of worship are key to shaping the minds and shaping the characters of not only our personnel but other Nigerians who use it,” he said.
The CNS called for a change of attitude to work among personnel and enhance their commitment to the fight against insurgency and terrorism, which he added were the major threats facing the nation.
He urged officers, ratings and their families to take advantage of the centres to be able to benefit from the spiritual upliftment that it was meant to provide.
The Commander, Naval Unit, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said the three newly completed places of worship, include the Catholic Church, the Church of Redemption, and the Central Mosque.
Oladipo said the worship centre would serve personnel and residents of Navy Town, Admiralty and Lakeview Estates and environs as well as serve as functional nerve centres of the Directorate of Naval Chaplain Services and the Directorate of Islamic Affairs.
He said that the construction works commenced on June 17, 2019 and completed in April 2025.
According to him, the churches each have the capacity of about 1,000 worshipers with an upper gallery and conference hall, while the mosque has an estimated capacity of 1,200 worshipers comprising male and female sections.
The Director of Chaplaincy, Roman Catholic Church, Naval Headquarters, Navy Capt. Richmond Diala, thanked the naval chief for ensuring the completion of the projects.
He said the vision, generosity and faith of the CNS had not just built structures, but sanctuaries that would bless generations.
He prayed for God’s guidance, success, safety and joy, as the service continued its 69th anniversary celebration. (NAN)
