President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, commissioned three ships and two helicopters at the Lagos Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, in a bid to bolster the Nigerian Navy’s capacity to safeguard the nation’s Blue Economy.
The commissioning ceremony, held as part of the activities marking the 68th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, saw Tinubu highlighting the crucial role of the Nigerian Navy in addressing the evolving security challenges in the nation.
He emphasized the significance of the 5th International Maritime Conference, themed “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security,” in aligning with key developmental agendas.
Tinubu stressed the economic potential of the Blue Economy, estimating its worth at over US $1.5 trillion annually, with projections to increase substantially by 2050.
He emphasized the need for collaborative initiatives to enhance maritime security and promote economic prosperity, noting the critical role of the Nigerian Navy in this regard.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, commended the Nigerian Navy for its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests, describing it as a symbol of national pride.
He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conference would lead to innovative strategies for improving maritime security and facilitating economic prosperity.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat, acknowledged the Nigerian Navy’s pivotal role in ensuring maritime security, underscoring its significance to the socio-economic development of the state and the nation at large.
He called for continued support for initiatives aimed at enhancing maritime security and fostering international partnerships.
Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, emphasized the transnational nature of maritime threats and the imperative of international collaboration in addressing them.
He highlighted regional and continental initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable maritime security, reaffirming the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s maritime domain and promoting economic prosperity in the Gulf of Guinea region.
The commissioning of the ships and helicopters reflects Nigeria’s preparedness to protect its Blue Economy and underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing maritime security for national development and economic prosperity.