The Navy and the Akwa Ibom State Government have agreed to work together to construct a Navy Girls Secondary School, solidifying their already strong connection.
As host to Vice Admiral Awwal Zubair Gambo CFR, Chief of Naval Staff, who was paying a courtesy visit to Government House in Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel approved the proposal to expand the current Navy School at Ikot Ntuen and approved the establishment of a Navy Girls College in the State.
In order to determine whether the Special School, erected by the State Government in Awa Ubium, Onna Local Government Area, should be the location for the Navy Girls School, the Governor ordered that the Naval Chief be given a tour of the school's facilities.
He directed that a dedicated line be provided from the Ekim Substation to ensure constant power supply to the Ikot Ntuen Navy college.
“You talked about Navy School, I have a site already built that you can start a Navy Girls School in January. The facilities are there. The Commandant can go and have a look,” Emmanuel stated.
He directed the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Capt. Iniobong Ekong rtd., to work out modalities to acquire and make available a 200-hectare parcel of land for the residential estate personnel of the Nigerian Naval Service, NNS.
Emmanuel expressed the readiness of the State Government to partner with the Navy and an Egyptian investor to establish the Akwa Ibom Fish City project, estimated to produce one million tons of fish and revenue of $500 million within a period of five years.
Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, described his visit to Akwa Ibom State as homecoming, saying that he had served in the State as Chief Security Officer during the military era and commended the cordial relationship maintained over time between the State government and the Nigerian Navy.
He expressed delight over the developments accomplished by the state administration.
Gambo, who expressed confidence in the leadership of the State to leverage on the partnership with the Navy to explore the great opportunities available in the blue economy, assured that with the investment by the presidency in the sector, maritime security has been beefed up across the coastal areas.
The Naval boss commended the State Government for the warm reception accorded him.