The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) on April 17, 2024 has presented Rear Admiral Chukwuemeka Ebenezer Okafor (Rtd), the 2023 Alexander Dalrymple Award for services to international hydrography.
Okafor, who was the immediate past Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, was selected by a committee and presented as part of UK Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO’s) World Hydrography Day celebration, by UK’s Ministry of Defence.
During a ceremony led by UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh OBE, at the International Maritime Organization headquarters in London, Rear Admiral Chukwuemeka Ebenezer Okafor (Rtd) received the award as the 2023 recipient during a dinner gathering, also attended by the Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, Cyprian Heen, as well as close family and friends.
The Alexander Dalrymple Award committee acknowledged Rear Admiral Okafor’s advancements and contributions to the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO) during his tenure as Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy. Under Rear Admiral Okafor’s leadership, the NNHO has become the first West African Hydrographic Office to support and operate its own hydrographic survey fleet.
The accomplishments of Rear Admiral Okafor for the NNHO have heightened the strategic importance of hydrography in Nigeria. This foundation will deliver profound economic and social advantages, not only nationally but also throughout the region, positioning Nigeria as an example for other West African countries to emulate.
In a congratulatory message to Rear Admiral Chukwuemeka Ebenezer Okafor (Rtd) who has made Nigeria and the Nigerian Navy proud even in retirement, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, commended his contribution to building hydrography capacity both locally and globally and his robust service to the Nigerian Navy.
The release issued by the Nigerian Navy Director of Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on behalf of the CNS read in part:
“The Alexander Dalrymple award was initiated by the UK Government in 2006 in honour of UK’s First Hydrographer, appointed by the Royal Navy in 1795.
Since then, the award is presented annually as part of UK Hydrographic Office’s (UKHO’s) World Hydrography Day celebration, by UK’s Ministry of Defence to recipients selected by a diligent committee.
The recipient is usually selected from many nominees from different nations. These nominees must have contributed significantly to improving the standards of hydrography, cartography and navigational safety.
Accordingly, the UKHO Committee selected Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd) of the Nigerian Navy as the Recipient of the 2023 Alexander Dalrymple Award.
The senior officer was recognise for his outstanding contributions and tireless efforts in developing Nigeria’s national hydrographic capacity culminated in making Nigeria the first country in West Africa to produce an indigenous International navigational chart in both paper and electronic format, as well as the development of a national hydrographic survey fleet with full charting capability.
Accordingly, Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd) was honoured on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, as he received the prestigious Alexander Dalrymple Award for 2023 in London, England.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla and all the Officers and men of the NN heartily congratulates our own dear Rear Admiral CE Okafor (rtd).
Thank you for your great contribution to building hydrography capacity both locally and globally and your robust service to the Nigerian Navy.”
