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By: Okosun Dennis
30 graduating students of Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC) Training School, Naval Base, Apapa, have been advised to take full advantage of the knowledge acquired during their three months rigorous training exercise to enhance naval operations and effectively police the maritime domain for optimal result.
This charge was given by the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), Commodore AO Odejobi, the Director of Maritime Domain Awareness, Naval Headquarters, Abuja on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at the graduation ceremony of RMAC Course 13 and Batch 13, 2026, which took place at the NNS Beecroft, Officers’ Mess, Apapa, Lagos.
While calling on the graduands to leverage on knowledge gained, he encouraged them not to relent in seeking for more knowledge that would galvanise into a transcendental performance that would uplift the service to a greater height.
In that regard, Cdre Odejobi said that they should take a cursory look at areas or aspects of the course they have not fully comprehended, but devote time to visit maritime domain centres domicile in various commands, to get further qualifications and familiarise themselves with the system.
“It is hoped that with the restoration of centres, coupled with the challenge of establishing new ones to cover our maritime corridors, the Nigerian Navy will be able to bridge the capability gap in policing our maritime requirements.
“I implore you to apply what you’ve learned in this course appropriately whenever the need arises. Having gone through the course, you are now among a pool of officers and ratings who can be appointed and drafted to replace the personnel serving in the various maritime domain awareness centres by the navy.”
Commodore Odejobi reminded the graduands of the premium the Naval Authority places on RMAC system, which is very crucial to the NN operations, hence a lot of attention has been given to training of NN personnel on the system.
He disclosed that recently, the service has promulgated NNO Establishing and upgrading the Maritime Domain Awareness as a Department.
Commodore Odejobi thanked the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for providing the enabling environment, resources and support for the course, just as he lauded the unrelenting efforts of the instructors for their efforts and diligence at imparting the requisite knowledge to the officers and ratings that attended the course.
In his welcome remarks, the Commandant, Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC)
Training School, Commander EE Omokhodion, congratulated the students for their brilliance and camaraderie.
On the aim of the course, he noted that it is meant to strengthen the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness manpower capacity, equip personnel with the requisite knowledge and skills to effectively combat maritime threats within the domain.
He reminded them that despite the strategic and ecomonic potentials of the Gulf of Guinea, it has continued to face multifarious security challenges that threaten the economic lifelines of both littoral and landlocked states.
Omokhodion further stated some of those security challenges to include piracy and sea robbery, drug and human trafficking, pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as well as environmental degradation.
These threats, he reiterated have remained a source of concern not only within the region but also to the international community, adding that “no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity within the global commons.”
Highpoint of the ceremony were the presentation of awards to deserving officers and ratings as well as certificates to all the participants.
While Isor Barikadakara Deezua was awarded for the best graduating rating, Chidima Yeheshua Ikebudu was the best graduating officer.
In her vote of thanks, Ikebudu expressed joy for the good health and enablement to complete the course. She, particularly, thanked the CNS, Commandant and all the instructors for their diligence throughout the duration of the course.
The three months RMAC Basic and Intermediate Training for 2026, was assembled on the 6th February, 2026, and undertook both practical and theoretical aspects. They consist of 20 ratings and 10 officers.
Present at the ceremony were a representative of the Commander, NNS Beecroft, NNS Quorra, Commander, Fleet Support Group West and families and friends of the graduating officers and ratings.
