The Nigerian Navy (NN) has provided an avenue for the President to assess the navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in maritime security, safety and defence within a global/regional collaborative approach.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo who made this known during an International Press Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, explained the assessment would begin during the Presidential Fleet Review, PFR 2023 which would hold on Friday 19th of May to the 22nd of May 2023 in Lagos, South West geopolitical zone.
Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters Abuja, Rear Admiral Suleiman Garba, the Naval Chief said that the theme of the PFR-2023 is ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity.’
According to him, this theme was carefully chosen to underscore the essence and value of the NN, as a responsive naval force poised towards the attainment of national prosperity.
The Naval Chief noted that PFRs are traditional events, which navies across the world conduct in order to honour their sovereigns or heads of government.
“It involves the assemblage of ships and other maritime assets at a designated area for the purpose of demonstrating loyalty and allegiance to the State.”
According to him, during a PFR, the President/head of state is invited to review the fleet in commemoration of a historical event, celebration of an important anniversary or any other activity deemed necessary.
He highlighted some of the occasions to organise a fleet review including special landmarks of either the navy or the country.
Vice Admiral Gambo said that “The NN has attended many Fleet reviews with the nation’s Flag Ship, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU particularly, in the UK in 2005 to celebrate the Bi-centenary of the battle of Trafalgar and in 2007 in Brazil to celebrate the centenary of the Brazilian Navy, NNS THUNDER also sailed to Australia in 2013 to celebrate the centenary of the Australian Navy.
“More recently, the NN sent personnel to participate in the Bangladesh navy fleet review in December 2022, to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the father of the Bangladesh nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbue Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country’s Independence in Nigeria, the last PFR was conducted in 2010 in honour of then President Goodluck Jonathan and to mark the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence.”
He recalled that during the 8-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a total of 20 capital ships were procured for the Nigerian Navy.
“The ships comprise of offshore patrol vessels, landing ship transport, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defence boats, helicopters, as well as, over 300 inshore patrol vessels and assault crafts.”
The Naval Chief added that the President also commissioned 2 locally built ships in 2016 and 2021, and laid the keel for 2 more, which will be ready by 2024.
“The Nigerian Navy deems it appropriate to honour the Commander-in-Chief for his support to the service.
“The PFR 2023 is therefore organised in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari, in recognition of his generous contribution to the service and the nation at large as it is also designed to mark the culmination of Mr President’s,” he said.
According to him, “These international press conferences kick-starts the series of activities lined up for the PFR 2023.”
The Naval Chief stressed that the next event is the ice breaker which is slated for Friday 19th May 2023 from 5pm – 7pm at the swimming pool side Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos adding that the event is to welcome participants to Lagos, especially the foreign invited guests.
“On Saturday 20th of May, 2023, there are 3 activities namely; maritime discourse at the admiralty conference centre, Naval Dockyard Limited, NDL Victoria Island, Lagos from 10am – 2pm; the beach fair to be hosted by the Naval Officers’ Wives Association, NOWA at the Landmark Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos by 12 noon; and the cultural night at the admiralty conference centre, NDL, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm-9pm.”
The Naval Chief said that the high point of the PFR-2023 would be on Monday 22 May 2023 at the NDL from 9am-12noon.
“During the event, Mr President will review. the NN fleet at anchorage along Lagos channel and commissioned 2 ships (NNS KADA AND NNS IBENO) and a recently acquired NN helicopter.
“There will also be a guard of honour for the President, Ceremonial Sailing Pass Exercise, PASSEX combat and aerial displays.
“Other activities lined up for the day include capability demonstration by NN Special Forces, Defence/Maritime Expo Exhibition, combined naval parade and exercises.
“The PFR involves 16 NN warships, 3 x AW109E NN helicopters and a mix of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Aircraft.
“The participating NN ships are NNS THUNDER, NNS CENTENARY, NNS IKENNE, NNS KADA, NNS LANA, NNS KANO, NNS NGURU, NNS IBENO, NNS ABA, NNS OJI, NNS ANDONI, NNS OSUN, NNS OSE, NNS EKULU, NNS GONGOLA and NNS SHIRORO.
“The participating NAF aircraft are 1 x MI35 Helicopter, 1 x Diamond-42, 1 x ATR-42 MPA and 3 x A29 Super Tucano. Some foreign warships from allied nations including Spain, Brazil and Ghana are also expected to participate in the exercise.”
The Naval Chief restated that the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari marked a period of profound transformation of the NN Fleet.
“The President demonstrated enormous political will in ensuring the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet which has become the pride of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) and one of the most versatile naval fleets in Africa.
“It has therefore become expedient to organize the PFR-2023 in celebration of Mr President for his commitment to strengthening the nation’s naval assets and capability to project her instruments of maritime power for national prosperity.”
PIAK
