The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, at the Government House in Calabar.
Vice Admiral Abbas said the visit was part of his tour of Nigerian Navy bases and units in the state, noting that it was important to first pay homage to the Governor in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of Cross River State. He commended Governor Otu’s focused and visionary leadership, described the infrastructural development and positive changes across the state as evident and remarkable.
The CNS recalled that he had previously served in Calabar around 2020 as the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY, which gave him a good understanding of the area. He also thanked the state government for entrusting the Nigerian Navy with the hydrographic survey of the Calabar Channel, adding that the exercise had been successfully completed. Vice Admiral Abbas further appealed for the state’s intervention in addressing gully erosion affecting some naval barracks and units.
In his response, Governor Otu congratulated the CNS on his appointment and stressed that prevailing security challenges in the country require the Armed Forces to be proactive. He praised the efforts of Nigerian Navy commanders in the state, noting that their operations had significantly improved maritime security.
The Governor also commended the CNS’ vision of enhanced synergy among security agencies, saying such collaboration has contributed to the relative peace enjoyed in Cross River State. He expressed appreciation for the Navy’s role in charting the Calabar Channel and acknowledged the long-standing historical ties between the Nigerian Navy and Cross River State in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The CNS was accompanied on the visit by the Chief of Administration, Rear Admiral J. N. Mamman; the Chief of Logistics, Rear Admiral S. H. Abdullahi; the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral C. D. Okehie; and the Director of Project Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation, Rear Admiral M. Y. Dahiru.
