11-08 2020 15:49
wrote:
IN MEMORY OF LATE REAR ADMIRAL OLUFEMI OLUMIDE OFR mni
In the course of my inquisition into the evolution of the Nigerian Navy (NN), conducted 12 years ago, I had a privileged encounter with Rear Admiral Olumide rtd at his residence in Abeokuta. The meeting was gratefully facilitated by Vice Admiral Adelanwa rtd, (former Chief of the Naval Staff) who deferred further insight on the subject matter to R Adms Olumide and Okujagu. As he asserted, both senior officers as Principal Staff Officers spearheaded the concepts, infrastructural development and Fleet transformation in the late 1970s.
Specifically, R Adm Olumide served as Flag Officer Naval Dockyard and Chief of Material at the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) during this period. He explained to me his voluntary decision to retire as Commodore. Fatefully, however, he was promoted R Adm in recognition of his exemplary service after the Navy Board, then headed by President Shehu Shagari could not convince him to rescind his decision to resign.
Adms Olumide and Okujagu were the arrowheads in the establishment and development of the Navy Town, Naval College, Naval Dockyard and the new Fleet (NNS ARADU, MK9 Corvettes, Tiger Class Fast Attack Craft, Mine Counter Measure Vessels and Landing Ship Tanks) Ever wondered why almost all these vessels carry MTU engines? R Adm Olumide explained that the NHQ deliberately decided to discontinue extant acquisition practices that "were mainly influenced by manufacturers' specifications and ready-made designs". Rather, he asserted that the acquisitions were characterised by "indigenous designs and specifications made by the NN while the construction contract to foreign shipyards was subjected to competitive bidding process"
In the particular case of the nation's Flagship NNS ARADU(MEKO 360), although, there were divergent opinions on the extent of involvement of NN engineers in the design, all the parties at the NHQ were pleasantly surprised when, much later, the Ministry of Defence communicated a United States Government request, channelled through the German Govt/Blohm+Voss, to have access to the design, and inspect the ship - Remember ARADU was the first warship with modular construction design, globally.
As a humble impression, this illustration exemplifies the remarkable achievements and footprint of R Adm Olumide, the enduring sense of pride and lessons for the NN, and challenges to current and future generations of naval planners and engineers.
May his soul Rest in Peace.
Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo rtd
11-08 2020 15:49
wrote:
IN MEMORY OF LATE REAR ADMIRAL OLUFEMI OLUMIDE OFR mni
In the course of my inquisition into the evolution of the Nigerian Navy (NN), conducted 12 years ago, I had a privileged encounter with Rear Admiral Olumide rtd at his residence in Abeokuta. The meeting was gratefully facilitated by Vice Admiral Adelanwa rtd, (former Chief of the Naval Staff) who deferred further insight on the subject matter to R Adms Olumide and Okujagu. As he asserted, both senior officers as Principal Staff Officers spearheaded the concepts, infrastructural development and Fleet transformation in the late 1970s.
Specifically, R Adm Olumide served as Flag Officer Naval Dockyard and Chief of Material at the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) during this period. He explained to me his voluntary decision to retire as Commodore. Fatefully, however, he was promoted R Adm in recognition of his exemplary service after the Navy Board, then headed by President Shehu Shagari could not convince him to rescind his decision to resign.
Adms Olumide and Okujagu were the arrowheads in the establishment and development of the Navy Town, Naval College, Naval Dockyard and the new Fleet (NNS ARADU, MK9 Corvettes, Tiger Class Fast Attack Craft, Mine Counter Measure Vessels and Landing Ship Tanks) Ever wondered why almost all these vessels carry MTU engines? R Adm Olumide explained that the NHQ deliberately decided to discontinue extant acquisition practices that "were mainly influenced by manufacturers' specifications and ready-made designs". Rather, he asserted that the acquisitions were characterised by "indigenous designs and specifications made by the NN while the construction contract to foreign shipyards was subjected to competitive bidding process"
In the particular case of the nation's Flagship NNS ARADU(MEKO 360), although, there were divergent opinions on the extent of involvement of NN engineers in the design, all the parties at the NHQ were pleasantly surprised when, much later, the Ministry of Defence communicated a United States Government request, channelled through the German Govt/Blohm+Voss, to have access to the design, and inspect the ship - Remember ARADU was the first warship with modular construction design, globally.
As a humble impression, this illustration exemplifies the remarkable achievements and footprint of R Adm Olumide, the enduring sense of pride and lessons for the NN, and challenges to current and future generations of naval planners and engineers.
May his soul Rest in Peace.
Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo rtd
