The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, has advocated spiritual solutions to the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria.
Ogalla spoke on Thursday while inaugurating three places of worship at the Navy Town, Asokoro, Abuja, as part of activities commemorating the Nigerian Navy at 69.
He said the Nigerian Navy recognised the purpose of spiritual upliftment of its personnel, hence the need to pay attention to places of worship for both Christians and Muslims.
He said that addressing the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of threats required a wholesome approach, of which the spiritual solution was part.
Ogalla said, “We recognise that the challenges of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of irregular threats that are facing us today are challenges that require a whole of society approach.
“So, while we look for the military solutions, we also believe that the spiritual solution is part of what we need to be able to surmount them.
“And these places of worship are key to shaping the minds and shaping the characters of not only our personnel but other Nigerians who use it”, Ogalla concluded.
Also speaking at the event, the Commander, Naval Unit Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said the three newly completed places of worship include the Catholic Church, the Church of Redemption, and the Central Mosque.
Oladipo said the worship centres would serve personnel and residents of Navy Town, Admiralty and Lakeview Estates and environs as well as serve as functional nerve centres of the Directorate of Naval Chaplain Services the Directorate of Islamic Affairs.
He said that the construction works commenced on June 17, 2019 and were completed in April 2025.
