The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 led senior naval officers in a solemn ceremony at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja to honor the late Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza.
The ceremony marked the burial and interment of the fallen hero, who passed away on July 30, 2024, after heroically leading a successful rescue operation that saved 59 lives aboard the dredging vessel MV AMBIKA 4 at the Opobo River entrance.
Lieutenant Commander Gwaza’s distinguished career began at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, followed by his entry into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 2005 as part of the 57 Regular Course, where he earned a BSc in Economics and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in September 2010. His pursuit of excellence saw him attending the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK, in 2011, and subsequently, the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at Nigerian Navy Ship QUORRA, Apapa, Lagos, in 2012.
Gwaza’s brilliance was further recognized when he attended the Officers’ Long Navigation Course at Indian Naval Ship VENDRUTHY, Kochi, India, in 2015. He continued to advance his military education by attending the Junior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Nigeria, in 2017, and the International Principal Warfare Course at HMS COLLINGWOOD, UK, in 2020. He completed the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in 2023.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant Commander Gwaza held numerous challenging positions in the Nigerian Navy, including Watch Keeping Officer on Nigerian Navy Ships (NNS) OLOGBO and THUNDER, Flag Lieutenant to the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, and Instructor at the Naval Wing, NDA, and later at NNS QUORRA. He also served as the Navigation Officer of NNS BURUTU and NNS CENTENARY and was the Officer-in-Charge of NNS IBUSA. In September 2023, he was appointed Base Operation Officer at the Forward Operating Base BONNY, a position he held until his untimely death.
At the funeral, Vice Admiral Ogalla expressed deep sorrow on behalf of the entire Navy family, paying glowing tribute to the fallen officer. He assured Gwaza’s family that the Navy would provide a befitting accommodation and full educational scholarships for his children, promising that the Navy would continue to support them.
The late officer’s widow, Mrs. Salome Gwaza, poignantly remarked, “I am glad that my husband died a hero, but this was not our agreement… we had 9 years of deepest love, happy marriage, and true partnership.” The burial was a deeply emotional event, leaving many in tears.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, represented by Air Vice Marshal AT Marquis, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral OM Olotu, and several retired Rear Admirals, including OC Medani, HO Ngonadi, SO Agada, and YB Wambai.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt farewell to Lieutenant Commander Gideon Yashim Gwaza, with the somber assurance that he will be remembered as a beacon of hope, bravery, and leadership.
