The inauguration ceremony of the Sanatorium of the Hellenic Naval Academy took place today, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the renovation of which is a donation by the company MOTOR OIL, in memory of Nikos I. Vardinogiannis, a Hellenic Navy Officer.
Among those present at the ceremony were the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Stefanos Gikas, the Member of Parliament for the National Constituency, Rear Admiral (ret.) Evangelos Apostolakis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Air Marshal (P) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral HCG Tryfon Kontizas, the Chief of the Hellenic Fleet, Vice Admiral Christos Sasiakos HN, the Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Motor Oil Group, Ioannis V. Vardinogiannis.
Also present were Georgios I. Vardinogiannis, Eleni Kefalogianni, Pavlos Vardinogiannis, Dimosthenis Vardinogiannis, members of the Vardinogiannis family, executives of Motor Oil (Hellas), as well as Honorary Chiefs, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Cadets of the Academy.
Photο Credits: Directorate of Information / Ministry of National Defence / Evangelos Karaiskos)
It is recalled that earlier in 2025, a total donation of 5 million euros had been announced for the construction of the 4th and 5th floors of the Athens Naval Hospital (NNΑ) and the new hospital wings, while 500,000 euros would be used for the reconstruction of the infrastructure of the Sanatorium of the Hellenic Naval Academy, as well as for the purchase of new medical equipment.
Among other things, Mr. Dendias stated during his greeting at the inauguration ceremony:
“Today’s ceremony marks the completion of the implementation of yet another donation by the Vardinogiannis family and the ‘MOTOR OIL’ Group, for the renovation of the Academy’s Sanatorium.
I would like to say that today’s act is part of a series of benefactions, a tradition that has been reflected in substantial works for the Hellenic Navy General Staff: in the upgrade of other infrastructure of the Hellenic Naval Academy, the Petty Officers Academy, in strengthening the digital infrastructure of the Ministry of National Defence, in the upcoming construction of two Hospital Wings at the Athens Naval Hospital.
And it is a living continuation of the offering of the late Lieutenant Commander (ret.) Nikos Vardinogiannis and Honorary Rear Admiral Vardis Vardinogiannis, graduates of the Academy and Officers of the Hellenic Navy, who left behind, in the wider Vardinogiannis family, a legacy of devotion to the Hellenic Navy.
Today’s donation is dedicated to the memory of Lieutenant Commander (ret.) Nikos Vardinogiannis, who served the Hellenic Navy on surface ships, on submarines, and in staff positions.
And among us are Messrs. Pavlos and Dimosthenis Vardinogiannis, sons of Nikos Vardinogiannis. Their presence underscores that the memory of their father continues to inspire and guide their lives and their presence here with a sense of responsibility and offering.
Also, I would like to make a reference to the presence of Captain Georgios Vardinogiannis who is here with us today. Along with Ms. Eleni Kefalogianni. Their presence is a living reminder of a family continuity and devotion that for decades connects the Vardinogiannis family with our Homeland.
This donation is extremely useful for the Hellenic Navy.
I will not hide from you that all three Military Schools needed significant investments to improve their facilities and to be able to provide our young Officers with the level required during their particularly harsh training.
On behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, I wish to express my gratitude for today’s donation and especially for the example that this donation expresses. It will bear the hallmark of the Vardinogiannis family, functioning as a benchmark of social responsibility. A legacy that is added to the collective memory of the Hellenic Navy”.
