The Nigerian Navy, NN has mapped out activities to mark it’s 66th anniversary and acquaint the general public with some recent milestones achieved in their operational activities to the service of the nation.
Briefing Journalists, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, who was represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Suleiman Garba explained that the Nigerian Navy has recorded tremendous successes despite the challenges.
The Naval Chief said that “Overtime, the Nigerian Navy has grown from an offshoot of the Nigerian Marines to a formidable component of the nation’s security architecture and a major player in the Gulf of Guinea, GoG”.
Remarkable contributions
He noted that it was evident that the NN today has made remarkable contributions to the peace, progress, prosperity and global image of the nation.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy was established on 1 June 1956 as the Nigerian Marines and has served the nation in different capacities.
He said the NN was justified to celebrate its founding days annually and to this end, elaborate arrangements have been made to mark the 2022 NN Week.
The Naval Chief noted that progressively, the NN has made giant strides especially in the areas of Fleet Recapitalization and operational activities.
He said the achievements were possible through the unflinching support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.
Indigenous construction
He said the President supported through aggressive fleet recapitalisation, which led to acquisition of several capital ships, Fast Patrol Boats, Inshore Patrol Crafts including air assets and the indigenous construction of Seaward Defence Boats (SDB).
He said that “NNS KADA is expected in the country on Friday 27 May 2022 as efforts are also ongoing for the acquisition of another LST”.
Furthermore, the NN recently signed a contract with DEARSAN Shipyard of Turkey for the construction of 2 X 76m High Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
The NN is also in the process of taking delivery ofUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to enhance our Maritime Surveillance/Domain Awareness assets including NN response capability.
Needful to add that the construction of SDB IV and Vat Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos has commenced.
Consequent upon the Fleet Recapitalization efforts, the NN has achieved significant milestones in ensuring improved maritime security for the nation’s economic prosperity.
He said that “there has been successive decline in reported cases of piracy and sea robbery attacks within Nigeria’s maritime domain leading to improved shipping into Nigeria’s waters with attendant positive impact on the nation’s economy”.
They noted that the achievement was complemented by the International Maritime Bureau Global Piracy Report of 14 July2021, which indicated the lowest number of piracy and sea robbery against ships in the waters in 27 years.
Decline in Piracy
According to him, the report was corroborated by the Defence Web, which noted further decline in reported cases of piracy and armed attacks against shipping in Nigerian waters.
He said Nigeria was no longer in the list of piracy prone countries. The consequences are enormous and positive for the shipping industry, general maritime commerce, and the national economy.
Lateefah Ibrahim
