Posted by For our 68th anniversary, Tinubu has made it clear that preparing our navy to face security threats is our top priority.
In light of the ever-evolving nature of Nigeria’s security threats, President Bola Tinubu yesterday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to further equipping the Nigerian Navy.
Twenty-Thirteen:01/1:00 Vanguard Person of the Year Awards
As he commissioned three ships and two helicopters at Lagos’s Naval Dockyard on Victoria Island, Tinubu made the announcement.
He claimed this will make the Nigerian Navy more able to defend the country’s Blue Economy.
At the 68th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Navy, the President—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—stated that the service has persistently faced conflicting difficulties ever since its creation 68 years ago.
According to his estimations, the blue economy is worth about $1.5 trillion annually and is expected to reach $15.5 trillion by the year 2050. According to the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, the blue economy is presently responsible for the creation of 49 million employment and the generation of approximately $300 billion for the continent. Experts predict that by 2030, Africa’s blue economy will be worth $405 billion. Any effort by the Nigerian Navy to forge alliances with coast guards and fleets across Africa is, without a doubt, a step in the correct direction.
“These threats have become transnational, beyond the scope and capability of one nation to deal with,” Tinubu added, referring to the dangers in the marine realms. International cooperation is urgently needed in light of the current scenario. The Nigerian Navy has clearly brought together an impressive group of individuals with a strong desire to work together in order to address the many security issues plaguing Africa’s maritime environment, given the number of esteemed officers here from outside our nation.
Dr. Bello Matawalle, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, made the comment that the Nigerian Navy has been a source of national pride ever since its inception.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, chief of the naval staff, welcomed the attendees and outlined the global nature of maritime risks that could limit nations’ blue economy potential.
The speaker expressed the hope that the conference will serve as a meeting place for a unified front to tackle the security threats that the blue economy poses to Africa.