Retired and Serving Military Officers gathered in Lagos recently to celebrate the 90th birthday of former Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Michael Ayinde Adelanwa (rtd).
Adelanwa was CNS when General Olusegun Obasanjo was Military Head of State.
Military officers, especially from his constituency – the Navy, friends and family members graced the occasion to “give honour to whom honour is due”.
The nonagenarian Admiral was the cynosure of all eyes as he “danced the way David danced in the Bible” to the admiration of all”.
From one end of the hall to the other, Adelanwa danced with all his might to thank God and show his appreciation for living up to 90.
Obasanjo himself led the train of dignitaries who honoured Adelanwa.
Also present were former Military Governor of defunct Western State who later became Chief of Naval Staff (1980 to 1983), Vice Admiral Akintunde Aduwo (rtd); former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jubrila Ayinla; former Military Governor of Bayelsa State who later became Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Omoniyi Olubolade (rtd) and others.
It was an interesting outing as Adelanwa, moving from one table to the other, in the well decorated hall, thanked everybody for celebrating with him.
In his Military career, Adelanwa was
Naval Aide-De-Camp to Governor General of Nigeria, 1963; Naval Instructor, Nigerian Defence Academy, 1964; Commander, former Flag Ship, Nigerian Navy, 1965-66; Commander, Flag Ship, NNS Nigeria, 1967-68; Chief of Staff, Naval Headquarters,
1970-73; Naval Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, 1973; appointed Chief of
Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy, 1975-80; promoted Vice-Admiral, 1979 and retired from the Nigerian Navy in 1980.
He was appointed Chairman, Nigerian National Shipping Line, 1987.
Adelanwa, the Aregun of Ijaye, Abeokuta attended Ebenezer African Church School, Ibadan, 1948-56; Officer Cadet School, Royal West Africa Frontier Force, Teshi, Ghana, 1958-59; Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmourth, England, 1959-62 and Joint Services Staff College, Latimer, England, 1969-70.
He was awarded Forces Service Star (fss) and conferred with Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
In September 1979, Obasanjo wrote a letter to Adelanwa to thank him for his meritorious service to the nation and dedication to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Below is the letter:
“Vice Admiral M.A. Adelanwa
Chief of the Naval Staff
Headquarters
Nigerian Navy
Ministry of Defence
Lagos
“My dear Admiral,
I am writing this letter to you at this time, when we are on the very last stage of accomplishing our task, to express my gratitude for the contribution you have made to the success of this administration.
“You have been quite honest in your advice, when you had to give one, and I will never forget those light moments your contribution generated.
“Your leadership of the Nigerian Navy cannot escape my comment. I believe you have consistently done your best to improve the standard of the Navy in terms of equipment and training and at this time, one is satisfied to note that under your leadership, the Navy has started to emerge with a better image and an improved skill which can make it perform its constitutional role in the country effectively.
“I wish you more luck in your future endeavours before after you drop the naval anchor”.
*General Olusegun Obasanjo
Head of the Federal Military Government
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
