10 August, 2024.
His Exc, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON,
Executive Governor of Ogun State,
Oke Mosan, Abeokuta,
Ogun State.
Your Excellency,
Re: Certificate of Occupancy for Naval Forward Operational Base, Abigi
1. This is to express my profound appreciation to you on the issuance and presentation of the Certificate of Occupancy for the Navy Forward Operational Base in Abigi, Ogun Waterside Local Government.
2. This singular gesture of yours will enable construction work to start on the site in earnest as we have been able to capture funding of up to two billion naira (N2b) for this project in the 2024 Appropriation through the support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
3. As you are aware, the present site was donated by Community through the traditional rulers in the town several years ago for the Navy Hydrographic purposes but where not much activities actually took place. My emergence as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy provided the needed opportunity to once again kickstart the project with an expanded dimension.
4. Of particular mention in terms of support and encouragement on this project is His Royal Majesty, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba S.K. Adetona whose untiring calls and interventions are of significance. The immense contributions of the various traditional rulers in Ogun Waterside, Ojotumoro of Abigi, Osobia of Makun and a host of others on this project is very well appreciated. Their fears and anxieties about a possible loss of this project to any other states or locations has finally been rested. The apprehension from the loss of the Dangote Refinery to Lagos a few years ago is well understood.
5. The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and his entire team in the Navy have proven to be great compatriots on this journey. They have demonstrated great courage in safeguarding the nation’s maritime assets and exhibiting unparalleled partnership on this project.
6. Our people are particularly grateful to His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his untiring effort at securing our territorial waters and without whose support, this project will not materialise.
Once again, kindly accept assurances of my highest esteem.
His Exc, The Senator, Otunba Engr Gbenga Daniel FNSE FAEng
Chairman, Senate Committee, Nigerian Navy.
