Journalists aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS UNITY last week have described officers and men of the Nigerian Navy [NN] as super-humans worth celebrating, after the successful completion of the sea exercise code named `Ategun Alafia’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day exercise organised by the Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy began on Sept. 29 and ended on Oct. 2.
The sea exercise meant to create a conducive crime-free maritime environment within the Command’s areas of coverage or responsibility for economic activities to thrive for the prosperity of the nation.
Relieving their experiences, some of the journalists on board the ship told NAN that the officers and men of the Nigerian Navy could be described as super-humans based on how they professionally handled the exercise.
In separate interviews, they told the News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] said that Naval personnel could be described as `demi-gods’ in human skin, who risked their comfort to live on sea to protect the nation’s maritime domain or territorial waters without nursing a second thought.
Adeola Omo-Ikivie, a correspondent with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), commended the Nigerian Navy for protecting the nation’s territorial waters while risking their own lives.
“This particular exercise is an eye-opener and it goes to show that the NN is really doing a lot by patrolling the nation’s maritime space to ensure economic activities thrive.
“They put their lives at risk, men and women who do not care about theirs because they want the country to be peaceful within their maritime domain.
“We really need to appreciate what they do for us as a nation. Watching all the simulated exercises made me realise that they are super-humans.
“I doff my hat to them,” she said.
She also commended the Naval officers’ spirit of patriotism, saying that they left their loved ones behind to protect the loved ones of others.
Omo-Ikive said though she had always considered herself as a fearless person, she had to give it to good navy personnel after her experiences of the exercise.
“Seeing them with the waves of water, I must be honest; I thought that I was strong. For days, I was down but I just had to put on a facade to show that I was okay.
“I had sea sickness, even drugs could not help. So, that is why I will describe them as super-humans. Despite all odds, it was a beautiful experience for me,” she said.
According to Able God Monyei, who works with Rhythm FM, it takes only super-humans to do what the Navy does and still be civilian friendly.
“They are civilian-friendly, hospitable and I give them kudos because their job is not a job that the ordinary human can do. You must have sea legs; your lungs have to be like gills of fishes.
“You must be able to inhale little oxygen from the large expanse of air that is blowing through you. I give them thumbs-up, they are doing a fantastic job,” he said.
He added that it was fun dancing to the imaginary tunes, as the ocean’s waves kept making one dance at free will and also seeing a whale from afar.
“Since, we got onboard; I have been dancing unintentionally because the ocean waves just keep one dancing at free will. I also saw a whale from afar which, to me; was awesome,” he said.
The journalist said this his first time at sea had opened his eyes to how important the Navy is to the nation by defending her territorial waters, saying that its personnel were worth commending.
“I was impressed by their hospitality and I doff my hat to them in spite of the challenges they encountered, they stay steadfast in their mission to protect the country territorial water ways” he said.
Modupe Oremule, a correspondent with NAN, also said that the exercise was an eye-opener for her, as her respect for the Nigerian Navy had increased after the excellently manner they handled `Ategun Alaafia’.
She just assigned to be covering defence beat said that sleeping in a small cabin, on a small bed with the waves made her realised that the Naval personnel were special humans worth celebrating.
“I joined them on the trip just for a few days and my body was beginning to ache. I wonder how they live on the sea, go on their assignments for weeks, months on sea and still protect the country’s territorial waters?
“ My respect for them has increased, God bless the Nigerian Navy and protect their loved ones,” she said.
She also said that though the sea was a beautiful and peaceful place, it was nothing compared to when one were on land.
Oremule also said that she got to realise the meaning of their Nigeria Navy motto: “Onward Together’’, saying that defending the nation through the sea was the scariest.
“I realised that defending the country from the sea is the scariest because where do you run to? It is either you all stay together and fight together or you all die inside the sea.
“I now appreciate these officers, they make our maritime domain safe and a living worthwhile,” she said.
Wahid Idowu, also from NTA, said that the Naval personnel were doing a great job.
He said that he did not find the trip an easy one though it was not his first trip with the navy.
“I did not find this journey easy because I could not eat for three days, my stomach was churning but I had to do my job. The Nigerian Navy is really trying.
“I had travelled with them severally but this particular journey was rough for me. I guess that there are days they feel this way but they still stay strong to serve their father land,” he said.
*NAN
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