Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Auwal Gambo says the Navy has built a vessel known as Seawards Defense Boat-3.
He made the disclosure in Abuja at the weekend, in a chat with Journalists, after he met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari, shortly before the President departed the country for Glasgow to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
He said he was in the State House to intimate the President on the development as well as seek his approval to inaugurate the boat later in the year.
“I’m here to seek the blessing of Mr. President for him to honour the Nigerian Navy in commissioning the indigenously built seawards defense boat three, which is one of the three we are building by the Nigerian Navy dockyard staff in Lagos, come December this year,” he said.
Rear Admiral Gambo revealed that he got a positive response for the Nigerian leader.
“His response is positive because it prides us as a nation that we can build something from scratch to finish, by our own shipyard. So, it is a thing of pride to us,” he added.
The Naval Chief said with the successful completion of the boat, the Navy is more prepared to fight pirates.
He further said Nigeria now has the capacity to build the same for other countries.
He said: “It will add to the set of vessels that we have for the protection of the Nigerian maritime territory against piracy, sea robbery, illegal bunkering and all other maritime crimes.
“Already, we have the Democratic Republic of Congo; they are ready and willing to partner with us in ship building and maintenance. We have Badagry Shipyard that wants to build a shipyard in Badagry.
“They are also ready to partner with us in maintenance and construction and most of the countries in the West Coast are definitely going to patronize us.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari also had an audience with former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu at the Presidential villa Abuja on Sunday.
In an interview after the closed meeting, Tinubu said he was in the seat of power to appreciate the President for visiting him when he was sick.
“Only to thank the President, first of all, for his visit to my residence in London after the surgery and wishing me well, lifting my spirit and indeed what an exceptional leader will do to collaborate.
“So that’s what I came for and to welcome him back from the trip from Saudi. No politics, just a courtesy call to thank him in a big way, that’s all,” he said.
Asked what the President’s response was, Tinubu said “the President was happy I came,” adding that he was not obliged to speak on other things they discussed.
