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Naval Chief Ogalla Seeks Increased Manpower, Says 30,000 Officers Not Enough Against Oil Theft
Nigeria Navy Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, says increased manpower will boost the efforts to curb oil theft in the country’s maritime space.
The naval chief stated this on Monday as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, as part of events lined up for the celebrations of the 69th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
Vice Admiral Ogalla said the entire personnel of the Nigerian Navy at over 30,000 isn’t sufficient to man Nigeria’s coastal maritime area which is one-third of the nation’s landmass.
He quickly added that the naval authorities have increased their annual enlistment of fresh minds to fill the vacuum.
The naval chief said, “It would surprise you to know that the Navy is just about 30 something thousand, and we have a coastal maritime area that is one-third of the nation’s landmass. Just about 30 something thousand in number. So, we are also building on this number, and we are increasing our recruitment, and our enlistment on an annual basis.
“It is an ongoing fight but the most important thing is that we are making tremendous progress.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla said the Nigerian Navy was not where it used to be, saying that it has become a continental force and a global reference.
The naval chief said, “The Nigerian Navy started with very few boats given to us by the Royal Navy but you can see that today, we are the third largest Navy in Africa and our goal is to become the largest Navy in Africa that can contribute effectively to global force projection.
“In terms of infrastructure and platforms, we have grown tremendously. In terms of surveillance and other maritime awareness, we have one of the best maritime awareness capacity in the world, a system that gives us visibility out there at sea.
“Like I always like to caution, every technology and every infrastructure has its limitation and that is why the human element comes into play, and we are not taking this aspect for granted; we are developing our personnel, we are also equipping ourselves.”
Special Court To Try Oil Thieves
He said Nigeria has recorded a drastic reduction in the activities of oil thieves in the last couple of years.
The naval chief noted that curbing oil theft demands a collective approach among the security agencies including the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force, as well as communities around the coastal areas.
Vice Admiral Ogalla also said that aside from kinetic measures, oil theft must also be tackled through non-kinetic means including unemployment, illiteracy, among others.
He added some of the ships used by oil thieves are not owned by Nigerians hence it makes prosecution difficult. He reiterated the need for the establishment of special courts for the swift prosecution of suspects.
“We need special courts to make progress in the prosecution of maritime criminals,” Vice Admiral Ogalla said, adding that a presentation on it has been made to the justice minister Lateef Fagbemi and it is being considered.
Severe Punishment
He pledged that oil theft can be reduced to a level where it does not economically affect Nigeria’s oil revenue.
The naval chief also said officers involved in oil theft have been severely punished under his leadership. He said some of them have had their ranks reduced, and some dismissed. “It’s too risky for any of our men to engage in oil theft,” he warned, sternly.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy has a plan for the surveillance and monitoring of the environment to detect oil saboteurs. He added that the Navy is expanding its infrastructure and increasing its fleet for more sophisticated platforms for quick emergency response,
Vice Admiral Ogalla said to boost the drive for increased capacity to fight oil theft, the Navy launched three ships and three helicopters on Sunday.
Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.
This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.
The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.
The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.
While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).
On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.
Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.
An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.
Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.
However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.
United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
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