The Special Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Defence on Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Olusanya Abiodun Bankole (Retired), has delivered a lecture titled “Civil-Military Relations (CMR) and Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in Maritime Operations: The Role of Commanders in Focus” to participants of Command Level Officers’ Course 9 of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN). The lecture, held at the College Auditorium, aimed at appraising the role of commanders in CMR/CIMIC in Nigerian Navy (NN) maritime operations, with a view to proffering a way forward.
Rear Admiral OA Bankole (Retired) highlighted the increasing complexity of the maritime environment, noting that threats such as piracy, illegal oil bunkering, smuggling, cyber threats and disinformation require effective collaboration between the NN and relevant stakeholders in enhancing maritime security. Speaking on the NN’s experience in CMR/CIMIC, the Guest Speaker cited Operations PULO SHIELD and DELTA SAFE, as well as the Deep Blue Project, as examples of coordinated security efforts and stakeholder engagements in addressing maritime threats. He further underscored the role of commanders in translating government directives into operational guidelines, building trust with coastal communities, coordinating with partner agencies, upholding human rights and maintaining effective public communication. He emphasised the critical need for commanders to balance operational effectiveness with professionalism, accountability and respect for civilian populations to sustain public confidence in naval operations.
In his remarks, the Commandant NWCN, Rear Admiral MA Muye, appreciated the Guest Speaker for sharing his wealth of professional experience and insights with the participants. He urged the participants to reflect on the lessons from the lecture and apply them in the discharge of their command responsibilities.
