By Oladapo Udom
The outgone Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo (retd), on Saturday, bowed out of office.
He ascribed the many successes recorded during his administration to his professional colleagues, officers and ratings of the Navy as well as his family.
Gambo said this at his Pulling Out ceremony which was held at the Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Apapa on Saturday after having served for 39 years.
He said that his military career, which commenced with his Officer Cadet training in 1984, had been rewarding and added that, ‘everything that has a beginning, has an end”.
“Just as it is for any old sailor in history, this great ceremony marks the end of my illustrious military career and exit from our beloved Nigerian Navy.
“In the words of Helen Keller, ‘The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker’.
“Also, according to Merle Crowell, ‘It is the men behind who make the man ahead’, the retired CNS quoted.
“I appreciate the Almighty Allah for a successful naval career, judging from the fact that some of our compatriots and colleagues did not have the same opportunity.
“Sadly, several of our professional colleagues and contemporaries have fallen along the line of duty, while some paid the supreme sacrifice in various campaigns, both at the domestic and international scenes,” he said.
The CNS prayed that the souls of the departed compatriots continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty and that God should continue to grant their families the desired comfort.
