The Nigerian chief of the naval staff, Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba, has approved the appointment of 266 officers. The appointments released yesterday affected 20 rear admirals, 97 commodores, 99 captains, 4 lieutenant commanders, 44 lieutenants and 2 sub-lieutenants.

The rear admirals affected in the exercise are AOA Ikioda, who moves from National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies to Defence Headquarters as director of equipment, standardisation and harmonisation; Rear Admiral JO Aikhomu, formerly flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command, is now appointed chief of administration, Naval Headquarters; and Rear Admiral IE Ibas, formerly flag officer commanding, Western Naval Command, is now the deputy commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Rear Admiral IA Oyagha, who was chief of administration, Naval Headquarters, is reporting to Defence Headquarters as director of development.

Also appointed, according to a statement issued by the Naval Headquarters and signed by its director of information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu, is former flag officer commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral AI Ajuonu, who moves to Defence Headquarters as director of sports. Rear Admiral DO Osuofa has been appointed as a moderator at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, while Rear Admiral SU Chinweuba is to move to Naval Headquarters as chief of naval engineering. Rear Admiral SI Alade, who was deputy commandant at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, is reporting at Western Naval Command as flag officer commanding. Rear Admiral AA Yusuf has also been appointed commandant of the Nigerian Navy Engineering College, Sapele; and Rear Admiral OP Ozojiofor is now the navy secretary.

Moreover, Rear Admiral LON Iwuoha is appointed director of logistics, Defence Intelligence Agency; and Rear Admiral HO Ngonadi, former navy secretary, is now the flag officer commanding, Eastern Naval Command.

Rear Admiral HH Babalola moves to Naval Headquarters as director of Nigerian Navy Transformation Office. Other appointments include Rear Admiral AA Osinowo who becomes the new chief of training and operations, Naval Headquarters; Rear Admiral OC Medani, director of project implementation, monitoring and evaluation; and Rear Admiral JO Okojie, director of policy, Naval Headquarters.

Rear admirals JO Oluwole and FD Bobai have also been appointed as chief staff officers at Eastern Naval Command and Naval Training Command respectively. Rear Admiral AO Odeh retains his position as commander, Fleet Support Group, Central Naval Command; and Rear Admiral SU Ahmadu is director of navy accounts, in addition to his duties as commander, Central Pay Office.