By Hyacinth Nwafor
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.
According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, Mr. Osagie Edward, FNIPR. Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations. As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada. It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics. He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA). He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.
Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.
The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.