Tinubu Tasks Nigerian Navy on Maritime Security

 

Photo: Vice President Kashim Shettima receives a ship model from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla at the 68th Nigerian Navy Anniversary programme in Lagos

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - June 19, 2024: - President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu has tasked the Nigerian Navy to build partnerships across African navies and Coast Guards for  confronting security challenges in the maritime domain and partnering with other agencies to mitigate threats. 

President Tinubu made the call during the 2024 International Maritime Conference in Lagos, with the theme:  “Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security.” 

It was held to mark the Nigerian Navy’s 68th anniversary. 

Represented by the Vice President, Kashmi Shettima, the President, acknowledged the transnational nature of maritime threats and the need for greater international collaboration to address them.   

According to him,  the conference theme aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, the Vision of Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050, and Africa’s Agenda 2063. 

The President, expressed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Navy’s statutory responsibilities and regional and international collaboration efforts to provide a secure environment for Africa’s blue economy to thrive. 

He said: “Since its formation 68 years ago, the Nigerian Navy has imbibed the realities of  our national imperatives and has continued to confront contending issues, by   adopting the most optimal policies and strategies to address the rapidly   changing security challenges in our nation.   

“As an important branch of our armed forces, the Navy has over the years evolved and reinvented itself to effectively deal with the threats in the maritime domains. It has also partnered with other maritime agencies to mitigate these threats affecting our national development. However, these threats have become transnational, beyond the scope and capability of one nation to deal with. The situation calls for greater international collaboration 

Our continent is very rich and endowed with living and non-living resources, having vast strategic economic resources in her blue economy. A secured maritime environment, one that is free from threats such as piracy or other criminal activities is essential for the sustainability of Africa’s blue economy.