The sea: a theatre of knowledge and power

I have been monitoring events in the maritime industry locally and globally in the past few months. An area of importance to me is emerging trends in global maritime defence and security. The world is currently going through economic volatility occasioned by dipping price of crude oil in the international market. Additionally, almost all the continents are fighting a global war on terrorism. From Africa to the Middle East, and across to the USA and Europe, there are huge resources expended to dismantle extremist faith based radicalism as well as ideological fundamentalism which have both adverse effect on shipping and economic development.

As the world’s population is increasing, there is environmental degradation and dwindling resources. Maritime piracy has swelled with attendant increase in cargo and vessel insurance regimes which have negative impact on seaborne trade. The weak global economy as it is today has negatively affected seaborne trade. Indeed, it could be safely predicted that the management of key global drivers namely, population, economy, environment and resources will shape the future of the marine industry worldwide.

Based on the above scenarios, I align myself with the prediction that the world may experience booms and busts in the next 10 years and beyond with significant consequences in the global marine industry. Consequently, governments will need to foster economic ties in order to provide accelerated growth through the use of the sea, while protecting their maritime interests with the ultimate development of naval power. Most navies however, are suffering from budget cuts which may affect their ability to invest in capital acquisitions and maintain existing fleet of ships at sea. I will not delve into economics of defence in this piece because of controversies surrounding it.

As trade increases in the future, it has been predicted that there is likelihood that size of naval fleet of “global powers” will decrease, while naval power exhibited by their navies through the use of advance technologies will increase. Unfortunately, Third World navies, mostly in Africa may likely not benefit from acquisition of modern technology that would have added value to their naval power. This is because most African countries have weak economies occasioned by their reliance only on the sale of commodities which are fast depleting in a knowledge-based global economy. If the outlook of a navy, according to Friedrich Engels, is a function of the nation’s economy, you can only imagine the outlook of navies whose national economies are weak. True, knowledge and naval power will ride the waves at sea for years to come. This is because “he who commands the sea has command of everything.” Please permit me to offer a short take here.

Over the years, there has been several attempts to create a coherent and comprehensive training policy in the Nigerian Navy and a strategy to implement it. Whilst I concede that an appreciable level of training is achieved in the NN, serious questions still remain regarding its effectiveness and quality of instructional manpower. Perhaps, to proffer solutions to these questions, the Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) under the leadership of the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral AA Oshinowo, organized a training seminar with the theme “Future of Professional Training in the NN.”The seminar took place between 8 and 9 March 2016 at the Naval Base, Lagos.

The training seminar had in attendance serving and retired top brass of the Nigerian Armed Forces, senior officers of the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Department of Fisheries, some security experts and civilian dignitaries. The invitees and special guests are too numerous to be accommodated in the space.

Papers presented at the training seminar covers the following: Contemporary maritime operation and professional training in the NN; Sustaining Quality Instructional Manpower for Effective Training; and Joint/Inter-agency Operations and Training Implications. To round up the seminar was the launching of the new curriculum and code of conduct for NN professional schools.

Panel discussions centred on papers presented. While we cannot know specifics about the future, we definitely know our past. It is how our past will shape the future that was of utmost concern of participants at the training seminar. To shape the future of the NN, we examined how to fill the gaps in capacity building of personnel and improve on the quality of instructional staff. We discussed extensively, how the NN will strengthen collaborative efforts with other agencies as no single service is capable of maintaining maritime security at sea.

The sea, according to experts, is “a region dominated by the powers of intellect.” This realm is so challenging and vexing because it deals with the limits of knowledge, the unknown and the unknowable. Thus, naval professionals must be abreast of their profession to enable them cope with challenges at sea and to perform statutory roles in peace and war as reflected in the Constitution of the nation.

Importantly, the Navy is looking at ways and means of actualizing its training objectives, so that it could have in its inventory officers and ratings that could be regarded as “naval genius.” This, in my view, would comprise officers and ratings who are capable of burning through Clausewitz’s “fog and friction” and accomplishing those things that are “simple yet profoundly difficult.” The NN could accomplish this feat if it evolves training strategy that emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, cultural awareness, jointness, innovation and adaptability.

One important issue that caught my fancy during the two-day seminar is joint/inter-agency operations. It was thoroughly discussed. This calls for individual service doctrine and ultimately the promulgation of a joint doctrine. We need a joint operational doctrine for interagency cooperation at sea. It is long overdue. The Navy should seize the initiative. If the nation is to derive maximum benefit from the resources at sea, all stakeholders must realize that the future of national and international maritime defence and security lies in interoperability and cooperation among the Services. This includes the security agencies, international partners, and non-governmental organizations. There should be no Service rivalry!

At the strategic level however, we must know how to convey effectively critical perspectives of our naval profession to policy makers. The federal government must continue to encourage and provide funds for indigenous shipbuilding in the NN. Indigenous naval shipbuilding is a force multiplier in any economy. It must be sustained and training must be embedded by the NN in all ship acquisition programs. This is to enable personnel acquire technology embodied in manuals, technical drawings, procedures and processes in maintenance. And to allow personnel improve their skills, experience, management techniques etc. Technology must be at the core of our new training policy and strategy. Although technology has its drawbacks, nonetheless, basics have to be taught in all professional schools.

Sustaining good quality instructional manpower and effective training demand continued focus on setting standards in all our professional schools, balanced by equal demands for perspectives yielded by technical and liberal-arts curricula. Our professional schools need to be the engine that ensures that core competencies are thought, learned and assessed. The institutional integrity of professional schools in the NN must be recognized, preserved and enhanced, while instructor recognition programs are reviewed periodically to enhance morale and motivation of instructional staff. I wish all officers, ratings and civilians of the NN fair winds and safe sails. Onward Together!

MA Johnson