The Chief of Naval staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok-EteEkwe Ibas and a select few of his fellow old students of the prestigious Hope Waddell institute Calabar who have distinguished themselves in their various career paths, were yesterday conferred with honorary awards by the Abuja branch of the old students association of the school in a dinner organized in the Federal Capita Territory. FCT.
Other recipients of the award include the Independent National Electoral Commission,INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner of Rivers state Barr Obo Effanga, Arc. Ekpo Akpan,, Barr Akpabio Ekpan, Danlami Musa, Chief OkekeUche, Barr Ukegbu, Mr Kenneth Mgbamuche, Chief Augustine Mgbemena , Mr E. Ntufokand Mr Constance
Responding on the award, the Chief of Naval staff ably represented by the Director of navy Administration, Nigerian Naval Headquarters Abuja, Rear Admiral J K Luka, thanked the organizers for a job well done and expressed happiness to be associated with Hope Waddell.
“I am pleased to be here for an award coming from Hope Waddell. Of course, the institution has produced many eminent personalities within the Nigerian context and one of those personalities happens to be the Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral E I Ibas. And today, as they have honoured him, it means they have recognized the great roles he is playing particularly in area of maritime defense of our dear nation and ensuring economic growth of the nation” Luka stated
“I want to particularly say on behalf of the CNS that the honour done to the CNS is highly appreciated. I think there is more to follow as it will inspire him to achieve more for the nation”, he added.
In an exciting lecture that featured in the program entitled ‘Preparing the next generation to get involved’ presented by Barr Effanga, the old students and guest were taken on an intellectual journey reminiscent of the old school days with a convergence to the audience to always think of what to do to the nation and not what the nation should do for them.
The branch President, Mr Andy Akpan in his remark thanked the awardees and all those present for being part of the success story of the association and advised other old boys of Hope Waddell out there to try and come into the fold