10th November, 2015
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state, Southwest, Nigeria has commended the men and officers of the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a presence on Tongeji Island in Ipokia local government area of Ogun State.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Senior Special Assistant,SSA on Media to the governor,Adejunwon Soyinka.
Amosun gave the commendation today while playing host to the newly redeployed Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Rafael Osondu at his Oke-Mosan office, Abeokuta.
According to him, “I’m happy you are already aware of Tongeji Island, but we would not only need your attention and support in that area, but also at Olokola where we are having our deep sea port.
“We don’t want these huge resources to again go the way of Bakassi Peninsula,” Amosun pleaded.
The governor,while pledging his administration’s continued support for the Nigerian Navy,expressed his conviction about the new Commander,saying, “the new Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command is a thoroughbred professional and that must have informed his posting to the sensitive command that oversees Ogun, Lagos and Ondo states.”
In his earlier address, the newly posted Naval Chief commended the governor for his support and cooperation with the Navy. “With Ogun state now on the verge of becoming one of the oil-producing states, the force was fully ready to ward-off intruders from the oil-rich Tongeji Island,” Osondu vowed.
The Flag Commanding Officer gave assurance that the presence of the Navy in these areas would begin to yield positive results to the state and the nation at large.
He noted that the Naval Command is fully ready to partner and work with the state government in every capacity to ensure a hitch-free experience.
Correction: Tongeji Island is in Ipokia LGA, not Imeko Afon LGA as initially published.