The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, under Operation Delta Sanity 11, has donated educational materials to Saint Paul’s African Primary School in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Ibaka, Capt. Uche Aneke, who made the donation on Friday, said the gesture was part of the efforts to kick-start Operation Delta Sanity 11 and foster civil relationship with host communities.
Aneke enlightened the students that Operation Delta Sanity 11 was a renewed effort of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, toward ending the menace of crude oil theft.
He further enlightened them on the economic and environmental effects of illegal oil bunkering and smuggling of petroleum products as well as the security consequences on the Nigerian maritime environment.
He said the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) exercise, which involved educational outreach and community services among others, was used to drive the message in a non-kinetic line of operation.
He emphasised that under the current leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, such community services would be constant and sustained.
The Commanding Officer urged the female pupils to take their academics seriously and observe good hygiene.
“Parents of girls of school-age who are out of school within the community are also encouraged to enroll in school for a brighter future”, he said.
Aneke said Operation Delta Sanity 11 as well as constant surveillance of areas under the FOB Ibaka Area of Operations and Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility would be sustained.
He explained that the operations were aimed at flushing out all forms of criminal elements.
In her remarks, the Head Teacher of St. Paul’s African Primary School at Ibaka, Mrs Justina Uko, thanked the Nigerian Navy for the gesture.
Noting that the initiative would enhance education in the community, Uko emphasised the importance of girl-child in the country and prayed that God would continue to bless the Nigerian Navy for impacting knowledge on the pupils of the school.
“We thank and appreciate Nigerian Navy for what they have done to the pupils of the school; we pray that God should bless them more and more,” the head teacher said.
Highlights of the outreach included sensitisation lecture and the donation of exercise books and writing materials to encourage and support the schoolgirls.
The Tide’s source reports that the theme of the exercise was “The impact of Girl-Child Education on Community Development with focus on the Ibaka Community”.