President Muhammadu Buhari was in Lagos this Thursday to commission the latest addition to the fleet of Nigerian war ships, NNS Unity, which was acquired by the Nigerian Navy from the Peoples Republic of China.
The President also commissioned a Seaward Defence boat, ‘NNS Karaduwa’ as well as a Tugboat named ‘Commander Edwin Ugwu’ which according to Naval authorities were built by indigenous engineers at the Nigerian Navy Dockyard, Lagos and the Naval Shipyard, Port-Harcourt.
Buhari commended the government of China for “the mutually helpful military cooperation, of which the Nigerian Navy has been a major beneficiary.”
He noted that NNS Unity was “the second of such acquisitions from the Peoples’ Republic of China and is a product of Nigeria’s growing relationship with China.”
He also recalled how China had donated “an offshore patrol boat to the Navy at the time of taking delivery of the sister ship of Nigerian Navy Unity last year.”
President Buhari praised the Nigerian Navy for its “great foresight” not only in acquiring new and modern war ships, but also for not relying on foreign sources “but have braced up to take your destiny in your own hands by embarking on aggressive local complement provision to assemble your fleet.”
He also commended the Navy for its impressive strides in the area of continued fight against maritime security threats like piracy, oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism, as well as its involvement and contribution in the on-going fight against insurgency in the North East.
The President pledged that his administration will continue to support the Navy within the limits of available resources “through improved training, provision of modern equipment, infrastructure and attention to welfare.”
“I hasten however to remind you that we are at a critical period when the country faces dwindling revenues. The moment therefore calls for prudent resource management and patriotic re-dedication. I am accordingly encouraged by the steps you have taken so far,” the president said.