On Thursday, February 19, 2015, President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Commander-in-Chief of the Army Forces, Dr
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan took part in the ceremony of formal
commissioning of four Nigerian Navy warships.
The newly acquired ships – Opkabana, Centenary, Prosperity and Sagbama – were officially handed over to the Nigerian Navy at the Victoria Island Dockyard in Lagos. This was the first time in the history of Nigeria when four ships were simultaneously put into service.
Brief Description Of The Warships
Okpabana, designed in New Orleans, was commissioned into the Service of the US Coast Guard on December 20, 1969. The warship was acquired by the Nigerian Navy under the auspices of Defence Article Programme between Nigeria and the US.
Centenary and Sagbama are two ships that Nigeria acquired from China in April, 2014 in sign of tight relationships between the countries.
Prosperity turned out to be a former Irish Navy vessel.
History Overview
The acquisition of new warships took place in the framework of a federal programme on the National Fleet recapitalisation which is a part of Transformation Agenda and Vision 2020. It traces roots into October, 2012, when President Jonathan ordered the investigation of crude oil theft on Nigerian territory waters at an inauguration ceremony of new Service Chiefs.
Since that time the Federal Government intensified the efforts to
reequip the Nigerian Navy with new ships to ensure adequate presence in
Nigerian territory waters.
Another Milestone To The Maritime Security
In the welcoming speech the Chief of Naval Stuff, Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin, called the acquisition of new warships another milestone on the way to ensuring maritime security. He admits that today’s historic commissioning ceremony is the evidence of the progress made by Jonathan’s Administration in recapitalisation of the Navy.
Vice Admiral expressed his sincere gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for attending the ceremony. “We
are particularly delighted that Mr President was able to find time to
greet this commissioning despite his very tight and busy schedule”.
He also pointed out that it is essential for Nigeria to have the
modern maritime equipment to tackle the security challenges of the
nation.
After formal commissioning of the newly acquired ships, President
Goodluck Jonathan emphasised the commitment of his administration to
defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria. Jonathan admitted that his
team would continue working towards protecting the economic interest of
Nigeria by fighting oil theft as well as providing security for maritime
activities within Nigeria’s continental shelf.
Nigerian Navy is one of the largest on the African continent, having over 30 warships at hand. The commissioning of another four ships has been done with the purpose of filling the gaps in Nigerian territory waters, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, which may be used for committing economic crimes.
The newly acquired ships – Opkabana, Centenary, Prosperity and Sagbama – were officially handed over to the Nigerian Navy at the Victoria Island Dockyard in Lagos. This was the first time in the history of Nigeria when four ships were simultaneously put into service.
Brief Description Of The Warships
Okpabana, designed in New Orleans, was commissioned into the Service of the US Coast Guard on December 20, 1969. The warship was acquired by the Nigerian Navy under the auspices of Defence Article Programme between Nigeria and the US.
Centenary and Sagbama are two ships that Nigeria acquired from China in April, 2014 in sign of tight relationships between the countries.
Prosperity turned out to be a former Irish Navy vessel.
History Overview
The acquisition of new warships took place in the framework of a federal programme on the National Fleet recapitalisation which is a part of Transformation Agenda and Vision 2020. It traces roots into October, 2012, when President Jonathan ordered the investigation of crude oil theft on Nigerian territory waters at an inauguration ceremony of new Service Chiefs.
Goodluck Jonathatn took part in the commissioning ceremony of four new warships held in Victoria Island Dockyard, Lagos
Another Milestone To The Maritime Security
In the welcoming speech the Chief of Naval Stuff, Vice Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin, called the acquisition of new warships another milestone on the way to ensuring maritime security. He admits that today’s historic commissioning ceremony is the evidence of the progress made by Jonathan’s Administration in recapitalisation of the Navy.
Goodluck Jonathatn during the commissioning ceremony of four new warships held in Victoria Island Dockyard, Lagos
Goodluck Jonathatnattended the commissioning ceremony of four new warships held in Victoria Island Dockyard, Lagos
Ships that were officially commissioned today, Feb 19, 2015, in Victoria Island Dockyard in Lagos
Nigerian Navy is one of the largest on the African continent, having over 30 warships at hand. The commissioning of another four ships has been done with the purpose of filling the gaps in Nigerian territory waters, especially in the Gulf of Guinea, which may be used for committing economic crimes.
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