The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to operational readiness with the successful conduct of its Second Quarter Route March in Lagos, aimed at strengthening the physical fitness and combat preparedness of its personnel.
The exercise, held on Saturday, attracted more than 1,500 officers, ratings and civilian personnel drawn from the Headquarters Western Naval Command, ships, establishments and affiliated units under the command.
The march commenced in the early hours of today and covered designated routes across Lagos before terminating at the Nigerian Navy Ultra Modern Sports Complex in Navy Town, Ojo, where participants concluded the exercise with stretching and recovery drills.
Addressing the participants, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Abubakar Mustapha, commended the impressive turnout, discipline and endurance displayed throughout the exercise.
He described the quarterly route march as a critical component of the Nigerian Navy’s physical fitness programme, noting that it is designed to ensure personnel remain physically fit, mentally alert and fully prepared to execute their constitutional responsibilities.
Mustapha stressed that physical fitness remains fundamental to effective naval operations, particularly given the demanding nature of assignments carried out on land and at sea.
He added that beyond enhancing physical endurance, the exercise also strengthens teamwork, promotes unity of purpose and deepens esprit de corps among officers, ratings and civilian personnel across the command.
According to the Flag Officer Commanding, these qualities are essential for building a cohesive and mission driven force capable of delivering on its operational mandate with professionalism and efficiency.
He urged personnel to embrace physical fitness as a continuous lifestyle rather than a periodic exercise, encouraging them to sustain the discipline, resilience and mutual support demonstrated during the route march.
The successful completion of the Second Quarter Route March underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained investment in physical conditioning, operational excellence and the development of a highly motivated force ready to safeguard Nigeria’s maritime domain.