Controversy as FG takes naval base to Kano State surrounded by Sahara desert

The Navy Board recently approved the establishment of 3 new naval bases in Lekki, Oguta and Kano. Out of these 3 locations, the decision to site a base in Kano has elicited debates and commentaries in the public.

Some commentators have queried the decision to site a naval base in Kano.

But pundits have cleared the air on the controversy.

According to a security expert and a former military officer, who pleaded anonymity, it is pertinent to state that all naval establishments and units and indeed military formations are called bases or barracks, notwithstanding their physical location.

“Depending on their responsibilities, naval bases could be for operations, training, logistics or administration. In the Navy, these bases are called stone frigates. While naval operations bases should typically have a waterfront or be located in a maritime environment, some naval bases do not necessarily need to have a waterfront.

“The base in Kano is intended to be home of the newly created Nigerian Navy Logistics College. For the benefit of doubt and the reading public, the Nigerian Navy is currently involved in various internal security operations beyond its primary maritime security roles. Aside from serving as a training establishment for Nigerian Navy logisticians, the base will also support NN operations in the hinterland.

A senior naval official said members of the public should note that the Nigerian Navy took a strategic decision to decongest its presence in Lagos area by expanding to other locations other than Lagos, Calabar, Warri and Port Harcourt. This decision led to the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College in Owerrinta, Abia State, Nigerian Navy School of Armament Technology in Kachia, Kaduna as well as the School of Health Sciences in Offa, Kwara State.

“Also in line with this decision, the Command Naval Drafting has been relocated to Lokoja, Kogi State while the School of Music is now located in Ota, Ogun State. Efforts are currently ongoing to relocate the School of Communication and Information Technology to Ife, Osun State.

“Pertinently, the Nigerian Navy wishes to enjoin the media, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, to be circumspect in reporting military operations. The Nigerian Navy in particular views the media as a force multiplier and intends to engage the mass media constructively in a mutually beneficial relationship.”

We are not acquiring ranching land for herdsmen- Delta State Government

Contrary to the story trending a few days in the social media about a proposal to cede no less than 5000 hectares of land in each local government area in the State to cattle breeders, authorities of Delta State Government on Friday explained that the government was not acquiring lands for herdsmen as wrongly reported.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said in a statement in Asaba that the Bill before the State Assembly was for the regulation of livestock breeding, raring and marketing in the state.

He said contrary to the misinformation in the public, the state was not acquiring any land for the purpose of establishing ranches.

He pointed out that ranching like any other business, was a private concern and therefore anyone interested in establishing ranches in any part of the state was free to acquire land for the said purpose in accordance with relevant laws that regulates private ownership of any legitimate business.

“Ranching like any other business is a private concern and therefore anyone interested in establishing ranches in any part of the state is free to acquire land for the said purpose in accordance with relevant laws that regulates private ownership of any legitimate business”. The Statement said.

He urged Deltans and the general public to disregard the earlier information that government was providing land for herdsmen as alternative to ban on open grazing.