Monday, October 21st, 1968.

Footage of Major General Yakubu Gowon, the Nigerian Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, presenting the Nigerian Navy with its first colours at a parade held at the Naval Base in Apapa, Lagos.

The Navy was instrumental in executing the seaborne assault of the town of Bonny in July of 1967 -a strategic necessity in the overall federal objective of encircling the secessionist state of Biafra, and it also maintained a blockade.

Hosting Major General Yakubu Gowon were Rear Admiral J.E.A. Wey, Chief of Naval Staff and Navy Captain James Rawe, Chief-of-Staff and Base Commander who authored the amphibious landings at Bonny (July 25, 1967), Sapele, Warri and Koko (September 21, 1967), Calabar (October 18, 1967) and Oron (March 19, 1968). An unopposed landing had also been staged at Escravos in August 1967.

Source: Associated Press.

NB.

Reuters version.

Major General Gowon Presents the Nigerian Navy with its First Colours | October 21st 1968
   • Major General Gowon Presents the Nige...