Rear Admiral Ibrahim Dewu, flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, has urged naval personnel to keep fit for optimal performance in their duties.

Mr Dewu gave the advice while inaugurating some renovated facilities at the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder base in Port Harcourt.

The facilities are a multipurpose sports complex, a hall for events and meetings and a memorial naval boat.

He said mental and physical fitness was a key factor during naval operations on land and in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

“We must be physically fit at all times, considering the security situation in the country.

“Our operations warrant that we are always fit to enable us to expertly and efficiently deliver on our mandate,” he said.

Mr Dewu said the sports facility would also be used by personnel to train and prepare for the forthcoming Nigeria Navy Games in 2023.

According to him, the Eastern Naval Command would continue to work hard to defend the trophy it won in August’s last edition of the games.

The navy officer lauded the commander of NNS Pathfinder, Suleiman Ibrahim, for rehabilitating the sports complex and called for maintenance of the facilities.

(NAN)