President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday urged the Nigerian Navy (NN) to translate its impressive combat displays to actual capability to secure the vast maritime resources.
He believes the incoming Bola Tinubu Administration will continue to support the Navy.
The President spoke at the Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) organised by the NN in his honour.
He inaugurated a new Augusta Westland helicopter, NN410, manufactured in Italy; and two ships – Landing Ship Transport (LST), named NNS KADA built in United Arab Emirates (UAE); and a Seaward Defence Boat (SDB), NNS IBENO, donated to Nigeria by China. He also unveiled the Nigerian National Maritime Strategy, 2023.
Themed “fleet readiness for national prosperity”, President Buhari said the showcase of different types and classes of ships as well as helicopters symbolises the nation’s maritime power and its preparedness to carry out the Navy’s constitutional roles.
“The combat displays staged by elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and a mix of the air assets from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force were quite impressive.
“I expect this to translate into the actual capability to dominate Nigeria’s maritime environment and secure the vast resources therein for the socio-economic development of our great country,” the President said.
Noting the inextricable link between maritime security and economic prosperity, President Buhari said the safe and secure utilisation of resources domiciled in the maritime environment for national prosperity was cardinal to the Navy’s policing duties.
“Realising this, my administration vigorously engaged in the recapitalisation of the Nigerian Navy Fleet throughout my eight years in office.
“Accordingly, about 20 capital ships have been acquired for the Nigerian Navy. These ships comprise Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats and Helicopters as well as over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault Craft.
“Our naval engineers were wholly responsible for building three Seaward Defence Boats (SDBs) namely NNS ANDONI, NNS KARADUWA and NNS OJI.
“In December 2021, I equally performed keel laying the foundation for the construction of 2 SDBs, which will be ready by 2024.
“At this rate, I do not doubt that the Nigerian Navy will soon commence construction of larger ships for itself and other navies in the region and beyond.
“This achievement is a great pride to Nigeria and an impressive contribution to national development,” said Buhari.
The president said the theme of the event was carefully chosen to underscore the response capability of the Nigerian Navy to infringements in the country’s maritime spaces and the Gulf of Guinea (GOG) towards the attainment of national prosperity.
Reiterating the reduction of piracy in the waters and the subsequent de-listing of the Gulf of Guinea from the International Maritime Bureau’s list last year, Buhari said the application of technology to secure the maritime domain has supported intelligence-driven deployment of the ships.
“I will particularly commend the diligent arraignment and prosecution of MT HEROIC IDUN, sequel to the detection and arrest for attempting to load crude oil, offshore Bonny in August 2022 without authorisation amongst others.
“This successful conviction further confirms the navy’s resolve to protect resources for economic prosperity.”
He commended Lagos State Government for providing necessary support to the NN for the PFR, noting that the state’s strategic importance further underscored the necessity of cordial relations.
According to Buhari, more than half of Nigerian maritime trade passes through ports located in Lagos.
“This strategic importance further underscores the necessity of cordial relations.
“As your outgoing President and Commander-in-Chief, this is a moment of immense joy and satisfaction for me. The nation is proud of your numerous achievements.
“Finally, I do not doubt that the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sustain the current tempo of my administration in giving the Nigerian Navy necessary support to effectively carry out its assigned tasks,” said Buhari.
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said the President had provided unprecedented support to the Nigerian Navy in terms of fleet recapitalisation, infrastructural development and personnel welfare.
He said the support boosted the morale and fighting efficiency of the personnel, adding that the fleet recapitalisation also enhanced the NN’s maritime security framework and repositioned it to effectively combat maritime crimes.
Gambo said achievements recorded by the navy were attributable to the sustained presence of Nigerian Navy ships at sea, increased regional and international synergy as well as active maritime domain awareness.
“To further bolster Nigerian Navy maritime security operations efforts, Mr President approved the acquisition of additional vessels as well as several air assets. Currently under construction are two by 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels in Turkey, three by 45m Fast Patrol Boats in France and two Augusta Westland helicopters, amongst others.
“Undoubtedly, the transformation of the Nigerian Navy within the eight years of Mr President’s tenure in office has repositioned the Navy for better service delivery and actualisation of its constitutional mandate,” he said.
At the PFR were heads of foreign navies, former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Commodore Ebitu Okiwe (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao,
former CDS, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim (rtd), former CNS’, Vice Admirals Samuel Afolayan (rtd), Allison Madueke (rtd), Dele Ezeoba (rtd), Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd); the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar, among others.