Spiritual Solutions Needed to Tackle Insurgency, Terrorism in Nigeria – Chief Naval, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla Says

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has said the nation needed a spiritual approach, in addition to military strategy, to surmount the rising spate of insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other emerging security threats in the country.

Ogalla said this during the commissioning of the newly constructed worship centres at Admiralty Estate, Navy Town, Asokoro, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 69th anniversary celebration.

According to him, “We recognise the challenges that we are facing these days, the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other emerging security threats confronting us as a nation. They are challenges that require a whole-of-society approach.

“So, while we look for military solutions, we also believe that spiritual solutions are part of what we need to surmount the challenges. The places of worship are key in shaping the minds and characters not only of our personnel but also of other Nigerians.”

He charged the Chaplains and Imams to make good use of the facilities so that the nation could see a change in the character of not only personnel but also every other worshipper who will use the worship centres.

He stressed that one of the key areas that the Nigerian Navy recognised in the performance of its constitutional duty was the upliftment of the spiritual wellbeing of its officers and ratings.

“We take it as a priority to provide the chaplaincy with the necessary requirements to perform their assigned duties,” he said.

The Commander, Naval Unit Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said before now, religious activities for Naval personnel in the Abuja area were conducted at the Mogadishu Cantonment and other temporary facilities due to the absence of completed places of worship.

The Director of Chaplaincy, Roman Catholic Church, Naval Headquarters, Captain Richmond Diala, appreciated the CNS for supporting the project until its completion.