According to the Nigerian Navy, 20 capital ships were acquired for the Nigerian Navy (NN) over the course of President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year presidency.
This was stated in a statement Rear Adm. Saidu Garba, the Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval Headquarters, signed on Friday.
Garba claims that the ships include about 300 inland patrol and assault vessels in addition to offshore patrol vessels, landing ship transport, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defense boats, and helicopters.
He claimed that because to Buhari’s assistance with NN development during his administration, the Navy was prepared to give the president a Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) that was appropriate.
The PFR, which will take place in Lagos from May 19 to May 22, will have the subject “Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity.”
The president also commissioned two locally made ships in 2016 and 2021, respectively, and laid the keel for two more, which would be completed by 2024, according to the naval chief.
In honor of Buhari’s generous contributions to the military and the country as a whole, the PFR 2023 is being held.
In order to show patriotism and allegiance to the state, it entails the gathering of ships and other nautical assets in a defined region.
“The review also provides an avenue for the president to assess the navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in maritime security, safety, and defence within a global collaborative approach,” he added.
According to Garba, the final PFR was held in 2010 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence and to honor the previous president, Goodluck Jonathan.
He added that the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU, the country’s flag ship, had participated in numerous Fleet Reviews of other nations.
In order to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the nation’s Independence, the NN also dispatched men to take part in the Bangladesh Navy Fleet Review in December 2022, he added.
The PFR-2023 exercise will comprise 16 NN warships, 3 x AW109E NN helicopters, and a variety of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft, according to the navy chief.
The exercise is also likely to include a few foreign warships from allies including Ghana, Ghana, Brazil, and Spain.
The combined naval parade, exercises, and a capability display by the NN Special Forces are among the other events scheduled for the day, he said.
According to Garba, the NN Fleet saw a significant overhaul during the Buhari administration.
In order to ensure the recapitalization of the NN Fleet, which had grown to be the pride of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), the president, according to him, shown immense political will.
Therefore, the PFR-2023 is a celebration of the President’s dedication to enhancing the nation’s naval resources and capacity to project her maritime power instruments for the benefit of the country, according to Garba.
