Burukiri Community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State was alive with excitement on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 as the Forward Operating Base Bonny took the vibes of the Nigerian Navy’s 70 years anniversary to staff and students of Community Secondary School, Burukiri through its Educational Outreach Programme.
The programme, which was organized by the Forward Operating Base Bonny attracted staff and students of the school, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the area to what later became a carnival of some sort.
Speaking at the event, the Commanding Officer of the FOB Bonny, Captain Chukwuemeka Umeh said the event was at the instance of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, AM, saying it is one of the non-kinetic approaches to deepening citizen engagement and civil-military relationship.
“In compliance with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Admiralty Medal’s directives on educational outreach in commemoration of the Nigerian Navy at 70 celebrations, the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Bonny is conducting this educational outreach today, 26th May, 2026 at Community Secondary School, Burukiri.”
“This is one of the non-kinetic strategies for strengthening citizens’ engagement and deepening civil military relationship.”
“I wish to also use this medium to reiterate the continuous support of the Base to the Community Secondary School, Burukiri, as part of our continuous corporate social responsibility and in accordance of the Chief of the Naval Staff’s vision and strategic directives.”
He emphasized that supporting the growth and development of communities within its areas of operation forms part of the Nigerian Navy’s efforts at discharging its constitutional mandate of providing security around nation’s maritime domain, expressing optimism that the educational outreach will enhance scholarship and academic excellence among students in the area.
“The Nigerian Navy has a constitutional mandate to provide security around the nation’s maritime domain. This encompasses safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity, suppressing internal security threats, and ensuring the protection of lives and properties within the maritime domain and beyond.”
“To actualize this mandate, the Nigerian Navy carries out civil-military cooperation activities which are geared towards strengthening its relationship with the general public.”
“This is aimed at demonstrating the interests the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Bonny has for the host community within its area of operations.”
“It is also pivotal that the people of these communities benefit from our educational support so as to enhance knowledge and academic excellence as well as build a success path for future leaders.”
“It is pertinent to state that FOB Bonny is providing the school with writing materials as well as counselling the students on career development. This is to ensure that the students are provided with the requisite tools needed for effective learning in a conducive environment.”
“We are optimistic that it will further encourage students to study harder and excel in their academic pursuits. We look forward to sustaining the good relationship between the Burukiri Community and the FOB Bonny.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Abinye Pepple, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Promise Bristol, commended the Nigerian Navy for its generous contribution and dedication to community service, reiterating his administration’s support for initiatives that promote education and uplift the community.
“I want to, on behalf of the government, express our deepest appreciation to you and your command for your unalloyed support and all that you represent in this island. I want to also thank you for choosing Community Secondary School, Burukiri, to commemorate the celebration of your 70th meritorious service. Congratulations.”
“As a responsible government, we shall continue to collaborate and partner with you and with the community. As you are all aware, the Chairman of the Bonny Local Government Council is passionate when it comes to education. Recently, as we all are aware, upon resumption of office, he paid bursary to over 1,000 students of Borneo origins.”
“He went further to pay scholarship to over 1,000 students, which is a lot. This is unprecedented. It has never happened in the history of Bonny Local Government Council. This is because he recognizes the fact that education is the bedrock of societal development.”
He commended the teachers and non-academic staff of CSS Burukiri for their tenacity and sacrifice in sustaining the flourishing of academic activities despite the serious challenges they face daily in the course of resuming work and discharging their duties.
“Let me once again use the opportunity to thank the teachers that have made room to support and sacrifice. Your sacrifice is well noticed, and I believe that God Almighty, whom you serve through service to this community and the children will reward you accordingly. Don’t give up.”
On their part, the Principals of the Community Secondary School, Burukiri, Senior Secondary and Universal Basic Education (UBE) sections, Kenneth Sunday and Joyce Jumbo, respectively, thanked the Nigerian Navy, particularly, the FO Bonny for its corporate compassion and support to the school since adopting it in 2024.
On behalf of the staff and students, they appealed for the perimeter fencing of the school, infrastructure upgrade, security and provision of teaching aids and other logistical resources, assuring that these would help obviate the challenges the school is currently facing.
Earlier, the Officer-in-Charge of Regional Maritime Awareness Capability Center in the FOB Bonny, Lieutenant Commander Pascal Okoye had made a presentation on career guidance wherein he explained to the students the need for trajectory in their academic pursuit, outlining the various careers inherent in the Navy, while encouraging them to choose to serve in the Navy.
Highpoints of the event were the presentation of a plaque of appreciation by both principals to the Capt. Umeh, distribution of school bags and other educational materials to students of CSS Burukiri and St. Bartholomew’s Primary School, also in Burukiri, traditional dance performance, as well as sumptuous food and drinks and good music.