To cater for the spiritual needs of the Nigerian Navy personnel and Admiralty Estate residents, and for spiritual solution to insecurity, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has on Thursday, 22 May 2025, commissioned three new worship centres, that is, the Church of Redemption, the Catholic Church and the Central Mosque at the Admiralty Estate, Navy Town, Asokoro, Abuja.
The projects were conceptualised in 2019, and it was rapidly brought to near completion.
In his address, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, said the project will serve the entire Nigerian Navy personnel, especially those who are living within the environment, and all the servicemen and women both serving our retired, who are living within the environment.
The Naval Chief said the welfare of personnel and civilian staff is his priority, thus, he ensures that he provides the necessary infrastructure and support that is required by Chaplains and Imams departments.
"We recognize that the challenges that we have seen these days, the challenges of insurgency, the challenges of terrorism, and other forms of irregular threats that are facing us, 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 also other Nigerians who use them" he said.
The CNS stated that the worship centres would help shape the character of personnel and all who worship there.
He urged the Chaplains and Imam to be agents of positive change among the personnel.
He also disclosed that a transformer has been installed to serve the three worship centres, supported by a standby generator to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.
In his remarks, the Commander Naval Unit Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project and highlighted the components of the newly commissioned facilities.
He noted that the Catholic and Protestant church are built with a capacity of 1,000 worshipers, three offices and a gallery, while the central mosque is capable of accommodating 1,200 worshipers with eight offices and a designated space for female worshippers. The facilities are also equipped with water tanks that can serve the facility for a week.
He said previously, religious activities for Naval personnel in Abuja area were conducted at the Mogadishu cantonment and other temporary facilities due to the absence of completed places of worship.
"However, the Naval headquarters, having recognized the need to first build worship centres, has constructed these three modern edifices in Navy Town. Certainly, these edifices are the product of the Nigerian Navy's efforts towards making provision for the future equipment of its personnel.
"They are to serve personnel and residents of Navy Town, Admiralty and Lakeview Estates and its environs.
"Additionally, they will serve as the functional nerve centres of the Directorate of Nava Chaplain Services, Roman Catholic Protestants, and the Directorate of Islamic Affairs." he said
Also in his remarks, the Director of Chaplain, Roman Catholic Church, Naval Headquarters, Very Referend Father, Captain Richmond Diala thanked the Chief of Naval Staff for the completion of the project.
"We rejoice and we are glad in it. Psalm 118 verse 24 We thank the Almighty God, the Master Builder, who has made this dream a reality, commissioning our mosque, our Protestant Church, and the Catholic Church in one glorious day.
"We want to thank the Senior Officers Service, and all those who are working and retired, Chaplains, Engineers, Artisans, Officers and Ratings, who laboured with dedication, and to all of you who are well-wishers, who have graced this occasion with your presence.
"As we continue the 69th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, we pray for success, safety and joy, with the hope that you will be able to continue to serve the people of Nigeria." he said
SpyeTV News reports that the Chief of Naval Staff also commissioned some completed projects inside the Admiralty Estate, Navy Town, Asokoro, Abuja. The event marks another milestone in the Navy’s commitment to holistic welfare for its personnel, both in body and spirit.
