5th FOC West Boat Race: Navy chief tasks officers, men on aquatic skills

The Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai has charged junior officers and ratings to take advantage of the Navy Sailing Club to improve their aquatic skills and make them better sailors.

Admiral Wambai was speaking at the 5th FOC West Boat Race, which was held on the waterfront of the Navy Sailing Club in Ojo over the weekend in his honour.

While promising to support the Navy Sailing Club in organising more boat races for the development of aquatic sports in the country, he said there is a need to groom younger athletes.

Admiral Wambai, who was represented by the Command Admin Officer, Commodore Edem Duke, said he also wants to see more active participation by junior officers and men as members of the Navy Sailing Club.

“This will serve as a platform to acquaint officers with swimming and other aquatic activities to improve their overall efficiency as soldiers and sports representatives during competitions.

“So, I implore the executive to have more patronage of junior officers now in the Navy Sailing Club so that they can replace the veterans among us in future events.

“I promise to provide necessary support whenever the need arises, bearing in mind that the FOC Boat Race is an annual event for sailors to showcase their water sports skills.”

Wambai explained that the importance of sporting activities, within the Nigerian Navy is key, noting that sports is a unifying factor and that the importance of sports cannot be overemphasised in the development and conditioning of the mind and body.

He called on the club to build more facilities and bring more innovation to their activities in subsequent editions.

“Furthermore, I advise the new executive to be diligent, transparent, and prudent in managing