Coordinator, NSA’s CTC, Commodore YEM Musa Promoted Rear Admiral; PGSO, Famadewa (PGSO) Promoted Major General.

The Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre (CTC) in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Commodore YEM Musa was on Thursday decorated with the rank of Rear Admiral at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette-Ibas was supported by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) at the occasion.

The CNS commended Yem Musa for his outstanding contribution to the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the country even as he alerted of a more dangerous maritime environment as the nation moves closer towards the 2019 general.

Consequently, Vice Admiral Ibas tasked security agencies and personnel to re-double their efforts in maintain and sustaining security across the country, particularly within the nation’s coastal areas.

The CNS who expressed delight at the presence of the NSA at the Naval Headquarters to witness the decoration of the newly promoted senior officer, noted that since Rear Admiral Musa was posted to the ONSA, the Senior Officer has brought to bear innovative and robust strategies that the National Security Adviser and other members of the security community have acknowledged.

Ibas expressed happiness for the elevation of the Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre to the enviable position of Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy adding that the Nigerian Navy is expected to benefit more from his elevated position as his wealth of experience is expected to trickle down to the ranks and file in the Naval Corps.

His words, “I think with the present rank now, Rear Admiral Musa can see that we have a wider horizon and if it requires telescope, we will perhaps give him so that he can help us overcome the security challenges we have in the maritime sector.

Expatiating on the challenges of Nigeria’s Maritime environment, the CNS said, “Our maritime environment is not getting any safer, especially with the upcoming social-political activities that are taking off. But I think we will benefit now that you have been elevated and I want to thank the NSA for being here with us. 

Monguno in his speech said the Nigerian Navy was a fantastic service, pointing out that he has never had any issue with any of the Officers from the Nigerian Navy serving at the ONSA, either in terms of competence or character.

“For the Nigerian Navy, I can tell you that your trajectory in your career may be designed deliberately to produce very good officers and the best normally emerged at the top”.

He disclosed that the decorated officer has done quite a lot in manning the CTC-ONSA, adding that within a short period of time, he has launched about four National Action plans on Counter Terrorism, as well as Preventing and Countering Violent extremism, among others.

While urging Rear Admiral Musa to justify the promotion, he said, “You will really have to serve as a trailblazer, as an example to those who are behind you, so that they will also redouble their enterprise and be a source of pride for the Nigerian Navy.

General Monguno emphasized that the ONSA was not oblivious of the effort of the Nigerian Navy in maintaining security in the nation’s maritime domain, assuring that his office will continue to protect the integrity of the Nigeria Navy as an institution.

General Mongonu said, “We cannot think of the efforts of the Nigerian Navy without support from other services especially from the Central Government. The maritime Challenges we have are enormous.

“One of the reasons I insisted on having the Gulf of Guinea summit in Abuja was because, we really pressed for Nigeria to take over the Chairmanship of the Gulf of Guinea being the only blue water Navy in the whole of the Gulf of Guinea, and knowing fully well the antecedents of the Nigerian Navy and so many situations, I just thought that it would also be an added platform for the Nigerian Navy to show what it can do.”

Responding, Rear Admiral Yem Musa appreciated God for his elevation to the enviable rank of Rear Admiral just as he expressed gratitude to President Muhammed Buhari, to have found him worthy of being promoted to the position of Rear Admiral.

He also appreciated the National Security Adviser for his exemplary leadership, inspiration, mentorship and fatherly support in the course of his career and actualization of the enviable position.

Furthermore, he thanked the Chief of Naval Staff for his committed leadership to the Nigerian Navy and the opportunity given him to serve the nation in the position of Rear Admiral.

The decorated senior officer reaffirmed his commitment and dedication to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as to redouble his efforts towards whatever he has been doing for the country.

Also, the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO), ONSA, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa was promoted to the rank of Major General.

Responding to the elevation, Major General Famadewa said it was a privilege to have attained this level in the Armed Forces.

“It is a privilege not a right. We thank the President, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces for finding us worthy. We thank our Service Chiefs and, of course, our direct boss, the National Security Adviser.

“We believe that with this new rank, there will be more responsibilities. It means, we will expect to give more to the generality of the Armed forces, and of course our great country Nigeria,” he added. 

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