Things are going wrong in Nigeria, we must be careful — Ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Omatsola

​Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dan Preston Omatsola (Rtd), has expressed concern over the state of the nation, warning that Nigeria’s challenges could worsen if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen discipline, national unity and security.

Omatsola spoke during activities organised by NNS Delta to mark the 70th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Navy where he reflected on the role of the Armed Forces in preserving Nigeria’s unity and stability.

According to the retired naval chief, the Armed Forces remain the “keystone” of Nigeria’s unity, stressing that the country cannot afford to take its security institutions for granted.

“Today is a special day for the Navy. The Navy and the Armed Forces, I believe from my experiences, are the keystone to Nigeria’s unity,” he said.

Expressing concern over the current state of affairs in the country, Omatsola stated: “Things are going very wrong in the country. If we are not careful, it will be worse.”

He called on the military, paramilitary agencies and other security institutions to remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities, noting that growing insecurity and fear among citizens were increasing demands for greater security presence across communities.

The former naval chief attributed many of the nation’s challenges to a decline in discipline, arguing that discipline remains the foundation of effective leadership and nation-building.

“Discipline has always been missing. If I am not disciplined, I cannot discipline my wife, I cannot discipline my family,” he said.

Omatsola warned against making policies or laws out of fear, insisting that decisions taken under panic often fail to address the root causes of societal problems.

“You cannot do anything through fear. If you make any law through fear, the law will not hold. You must not be afraid when you are making a law,” he added.

The retired naval officer urged Nigerians to embrace discipline, patriotism and collective responsibility in order to safeguard the country’s unity and prevent further deterioration of the security situation.

The Nigerian Navy is currently marking its 70th anniversary with a series of activities celebrating its contributions to national security, maritime safety and the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.