President Muhammadu Buhari declared on Monday that he had no doubt that the next administration would maintain the pace of his administration under the direction of President-elect Bola Tinubu, and provide the Nigerian Navy with the vital assistance it needs to remain on the upward trajectory he had set it on.
At the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the Presidential Fleet Review in 2023, Buhari expressed his satisfaction with the military’s battle readiness.
Buhari may conduct his final Presidential Fleet Review while serving as President and Commander-in-Chief.
He acknowledged his extreme delight with the variety of naval capabilities on display and the Nigerian military’s battle readiness.
“I have no doubt that the incoming administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu will maintain the current tempo of my administration in providing the Navy with the necessary support to successfully complete its assigned tasks,” the President said, acknowledging the pride the country felt in the Navy’s numerous accomplishments during his eight-year administration.
“My best wishes to the Nigerian Navy for protecting our maritime domain and the economic prosperity of Nigeria. As I leave office on May 29, I wish you all fair winds. ONWARD TOGETHER and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
President Buhari expressed his optimism that Tinubu’s leadership would enable the Navy to continue acquiring new equipment, develop shipbuilding for export, support indigenous production, step up the battle against piracy, and handle concerns relating to crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He referred to the notable decline in piracy over the previous seven years, which caused Nigeria to be removed from the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) list of piracy-prone nations in March 2022.
He praised the use of technology in maritime security, which made it easier for naval ships to be deployed using intelligence and increased their efficiency.
The President praised in particular the vigilant prosecution of MT HEROIC IDUN, which was found and detained in August 2022 for attempting to load crude oil without permission offshore Bonny.
Praising the impressive combat displays staged by elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, alongside a combination of assets from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force, he said: “I expect this to translate into the actual capability to dominate Nigeria’s maritime environment and secure the vast resources therein for the socio-economic development of our great country.”
Furthermore, the President highlighted the strong link between maritime security and economic prosperity.
He emphasised the significance of the safe and secure exploitation of these resources to promote national prosperity and support Nigeria’s objectives for a vibrant blue economy given that the marine environment serves as both a storehouse of riches and a medium for maritime transport in the nation.
The President listed 20 capital ships for the Navy, including offshore patrol vessels, landing ship transports, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defence boats, and helicopters, as well as more than 300 inshore patrol vessels and assault craft, as part of the administration’s efforts to recapitalize the Navy Fleet over the past seven years.
A new helicopter, the NN410, made in Italy, was among the major additions to the Navy’s fleet that President Buhari unveiled during the fleet review.
“Our naval engineers were wholly responsible for building three seaward defence boats, namely NNS ANDONI, NNS KARADUWA, and NNS OJI. In December 2021, I performed a keel laying foundation for the construction of two seaward defence boats, which will be ready by 2024.
“At this rate, I have no doubt that the Nigerian Navy will soon commence construction of larger ships for itself and other navies in the region and beyond.
“This achievement is a great source of pride for Nigeria and an impressive contribution to national development,’’ the President said.