The President, Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, in Lagos State, said the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu will sustain the support his regime has accorded to the Nigerian Navy in the past eight years.
“I have no doubt that the incoming administration of President-elect, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sustain the current tempo of my administration in giving the Navy necessary support to effectively carry out its assigned tasks,” Buhari said at the Presidential Fleet Review held at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement he signed late Monday, titled ‘President Buhari reviews Naval fleet, pleased with Nigerian military’s combat readiness.’
Recognising the nation’s pride in the navy’s numerous achievements during his eight-year administration, the President stated: ‘‘My best wishes to our 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.’’
Buhari stated that he had no doubt that under Tinubu’s leadership, the Navy would continue to acquire new assets, expand shipbuilding for export purposes, promote indigenous production, intensify the fight against piracy, and address issues pertaining to crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He noted the significant reduction in piracy over the past seven years, leading to Nigeria’s removal from the list of piracy-prone countries by the International Maritime Bureau in March 2022.
The President also lauded 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 actual capability to dominate Nigeria’s maritime environment and secure the vast resources therein for the socio-economic development of our great country.”
Given that the maritime environment serves both as a storehouse of resources as well as medium for maritime transport in the country, Buhari stressed the importance of the safe and secure utilization of these resources to drive national prosperity and support Nigeria’s aspirations for a thriving Blue Economy.
On the regime’s efforts in recapitalising the Navy Fleet in the last seven years, the President listed the acquisition of 20 capital ships for the Navy, comprising encompassing Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transports, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats, helicopters, as well as over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault Craft.
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