Literary Everything

Genre Non fiction

Editing A few errors

Blurb “Victory with Honour, is an account of my stewardship whilst I was onboard NNS OKPABANA as the Commanding Officer from 2015 – 2016. The book renders a chronological narrative of my operational and command experience onboard the ship beginning with an opening chapter giving an exposé on the essence of sea power and the concept of navies, a brief historical perspective of the NN in the second, and the third chapter begins with my own story. In between, I also gave my view of the maritime security situation in the Gulf of Guinea and how to address the challenges being experienced therein. The book then continues with a personal account of the various exercises and operations that the ship participated in whilst I was in command. Chapter Eighteen being the last chapter gave some leadership principles, though navy-centric, could apply to almost any sphere of life. Largely esoteric in nature, I believe the readership would be inspired to draw lessons from my experiences and also add to the corporate/institutional knowledge of the Nigerian Navy as a whole. I also believe more needs to be laid out in the public space on how Nigeria as a maritime nation, has potentials to become a sea power state like other nations with access to the seas did in the past”.

What Worked? After an unplanned hiatus from the blog, it’s good to be reading and reviewing books again. Our first book after our break is a surprising choice since we read fewer non-fiction books. However, it came recommended by a friend who had read it so we thought… why not?

Lady B I’ve always found the strict regime of the military and the hierarchical structure fascinating. Especially as we grew up under military rule in the 80s and 90s. Yet, the Nigerian Navy along with the Nigerian Air Force, are usually regarded by Nigerians as the more professional service branches of the military in Nigeria even though they, like the Nigerian Army, were a part of military rule. This may be because unlike the Army, the Navy and Air Force do not interact as frequently with ordinary members of the public since their operations are mostly airborne and seaborne.

Mo The only account of ship life I’ve ever read is something off Moby Dick. If you add Hollywood’s collection of sea themed movies, that’s about all I know and expect from the sea.

Victory with Honour being a memoir, recounts the author, Olusegun Ferreira’s experience as the Commanding Officer or Captain of the Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana. It is written in the first person using a descriptive style of writing. This book is as much Ferreira’s experience as it is NNS Okpabana’s experience. To use Ferreira’s words loosely; it was the fusion of man and machine to achieve common goals through concerted synergy. If you are interested in the operations of the Navy aboard a naval ship, then Victory with Honour is the book you have been looking for.

Ferreira, begins by giving you an overview of the Nigerian Navy including the history, structure, policies and purpose. While these introductory chapters of the book are more academic than exciting, it prepares you for what is to follow, actual operations aboard a naval ship!

Ferreira’s memoir which is detailed in both the workings of the ship and the operations of the Nigerian Navy and its officers, includes a collection of published press statements, letters and reports, this gives credence to the experiences shared. The book also outlines collaborations between the Nigerian Navy and West African countries as well as other foreign countries to secure West African waters particularly, the Gulf of Guinea against pirates and other criminals. Yet, with the aid of pictures, Victory with Honour reminds you that behind the names and numbers are people like you with hopes and aspirations who put their lives on the line on a daily basis to secure Nigeria and its territorial waters. You find yourself rooting for both ship and men as they performed their duties.

Victory with Honour is both educative and entertaining. The account of the rescue of a ship that had been hijacked by pirates read like something off the script of an action movie. There is even a part where Ferreira described the sunrise at sea that read like something in a romantic fiction book. But the best thing about this memoir is that it rings true. There are chapters that read like movie scripts while others show the reader that life on a naval ship is not always an exciting adventure.

The most surprising part of the book was the revelation by the author that he would speak up when he did not agree with his superiors on certain issues that had to do with operations of the ship. For instance, if there was a command to go to sea when the ship needed repairs and was not in tip top shape. Our understanding of the military had always been ‘obey before complaints!’

Victory with Honour ends with a chapter on Ferreira’s thoughts about his experience as the Commanding Officer on NNS Okpabana. He also gives advice on leadership and the qualities required of a sea commander. The book is an important addition to the Nigerian Navy’s history and we hope it inspires more people in the military to write about their experiences without embellishing it so we get a better understanding of their work.

What didn’t work? Victory with Honour is written in a reporting style. This is understandable as by his own account, Ferreira was used to writing administrative memos and reports. The book could have done with a creative editor to make it more reader friendly even as a memoir of such an important assignment.

Number of pages 343

Publisher Author House UK

Damage $4.99 (Kindle)

Rating 7/10

Victory with Honour: A Memoir of My Command Experience Onboard Nigerian Navy Ship Okpabana by Olusegun Ferreira is available on Amazon and local bookstores.