By Paul Joseph
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has described the air shooting novelty tournament organized as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy as a symbol of unity, discipline and comradeship among members of the armed forces.
Speaking during the event held in Abuja on Saturday, the Naval Chief said the tournament provided more than healthy competition, noting that it strengthened friendship, goodwill and mutual respect among participants, invited guests and stakeholders.
According to him, sports remain a powerful instrument for promoting discipline, resilience and national unity, especially within the military community.
Reflecting on the Nigerian Navy’s journey since its establishment in 1956, the Naval Chief said the service has evolved from modest beginnings into a professional and dependable maritime force committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial waters and supporting national development.
He stated that the 70th anniversary celebration was not only about institutional longevity, but also a tribute to sacrifice, professionalism and dedication to national service.
The Chief of Naval Staff commended participants for the discipline, confidence and sportsmanship displayed throughout the competition, stressing that the real value of the tournament was the bond of unity created among officers and personnel of different services.
He also appreciated the Nigerian Shooting Sports Federation for supporting the successful hosting of the event and praised the organizing committee and officials for ensuring a smooth competition.
President of the Nigerian Shooting Sports Federation, Commodore Shettima Mohammed, described the tournament as historic, noting that it was the first shooting sports competition involving the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He credited the Naval Chief for approving the inclusion of shooting sports in the Navy’s 70th anniversary activities and for bringing together personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Army and Air Force for the novelty competition.
According to him, the event created a platform for inter-service cooperation and opened opportunities for military personnel to participate in local and international shooting competitions.
He added that retired military gunnery instructors could also contribute as coaches and armorers within the federation, especially as the organization currently faces a shortage of experienced professionals.
Commodore Mohammed further encouraged serving and retired military personnel to take advantage of opportunities within the shooting federation to improve their marksmanship and contribute to global sporting events.
Earlier in his opening remarks at the Shooting Range Hole Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, the Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Navy, Johnathan Mamman, welcomed participants, coaches, officials and guests to the event, emphasizing that safety remained the top priority throughout the competition.
He urged competitors to obey all range instructions and maintain discipline while competing, adding that the event was built on the values of precision, respect and integrity.
The shooting tournament formed part of activities lined up for the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary celebration, alongside Polo sporting event held at the Navy Barracks in Abuja.
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