The Minister of Defence, retired Major General Bashir Magashi, has called for a vibrant Navy to enhance national prosperity.
Magashi made the call on Saturday in Lagos, when he declared the 2023 Presidential Fleet Review open.
The theme of this year’s review is “Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity.”
The minister said that the nation needed to build a virile, forward-looking and responsive naval force capable of safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment.
He also said, “It was important that the three complementary factors of Man, Machine and Process, reflected the theme for the review and set the tone for the maritime discourse.”
He called on the participants at the review to vigorously examine and appraise the topics of the discourse to provide strategic direction to enable the Nigerian Navy to deliver on its enormous task.
He said, ”The tasks are no mean feat even for the most equipped navies.
”Therefore, as a precursor to the Presidential Fleet Review, I expect this Maritime Discourse to focus on introspecting and interrogating our strategic and operational inclinations towards promoting and supporting our Navy adequately.”
The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of President Muhammadu Buhari, for being a catalyst for the growth of the Nigerian Navy.
He also lauded President Buhari’s administration for his unwavering support for the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces.
The Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, in his address of welcome, said that the prosperity of nations was linked to the huge resources derived from the maritime environment.
Gambo said; ”As such, any impediment within the environment due to the unavailability of a prepared naval fleet would have undesirable consequences on the economic survival of nations.
”These among others, are compelling reasons to further explore and unwrap formidable factors that can guarantee a prepared naval fleet poised to ameliorate maritime insecurity for prosperity.”
He said it was against this backdrop, that the theme for the Presidential Fleet Review, ”Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity” was conceptualised.
He said the theme also intended to support the strategic level initiative and emphasise the essence of a ready and responsive naval fleet as well as its contributions towards the attainment of national prosperity.
The events for the review began from May 19 to May 22 , with a Maritime Discourse on Saturday, May 20.
NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere
