FOC, Western Naval Command, top officers perform ceremonial sunset
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command on Thursday night performed the ceremonial sunset to end the Command’s activities for 2019.
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Rear Adm. Oladele Daji said that the ceremony was a period of reflection where the dead and the living were remembered for their contributions in the service of their fatherland.
“The sunset ceremony is a combination of three ceremonies: the ancient ceremony of British retreat, tattoo, and lowering of the national flag.
“The ceremony is an important event as it marks the end of all the events for the year and to preserve one of the age-long traditions of Navies worldwide.
“It is a period of reflection where the dead and the living will be remembered for their contributions in the service of their fatherland,” he said.
He also appreciated all the senior officers both serving and retired for gracing the occasion.
“Permit me to specially acknowledge the presence of very senior officers, serving and retired.
“And indeed all our esteemed guests who have taken time out of their very tight schedules to be part of this serene occasion of Ceremonial Sunset,” he said.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Navy Band thrilled guests to different music.
At 10 minutes to Sunset, the FOC was joined by Maj.-Gen. Olubunmi Irefin, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Nigeria Army 81 Division, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Abdulganiyu Olabisi, the Air Officer Commanding, (AOC) of the Logistics Command, Air Force Base, Ikeja for salutations.
At five minutes to sunset, the NN band then played a hymn ‘Abide with me’, while exactly at 7 p.m., the national flag was lowered to signify the end of events for the year.
The ceremony featured a 48-man guard parade.
According to some historians, the origin of Ceremonial Sunset dates back to 18th Century.
Following the 1797 mutinies in the British Fleet at Spithead, Admiral Lord St. Vincent established the practice in the Royal Navy of raising and lowering the Colour-the Ensign and Jack-at a formal Ceremony with the Band and Guard of the day paraded.
