…Commissions 3 warships, 2 helicopters, opens Nigerian Navy International Maritime Conference

…Says, Africa must utilise investment opportunities in Nigeria’s Blue Economy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday commissioned three Warships and two Helicopters by the Nigerian Navy at the Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL),  Lagos.

The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, also flagged off a Regional Maritime Exercise (REMEX) and declared the NN International Maritime Conference (IMC) 2024, open.

The activities were to commemorate the Nigerian Navy’s 68th anniversary.

The President invited countries worldwide, especially those on the African continent, to take advantage of the investment opportunities that abound in Nigeria’s blue economy.

He urged the Nigerian Navy and its African partners as well as other stakeholders to focus on achieving a secure and prosperous maritime future that is beneficial to all, saying Nigeria cannot afford to fail in its responsibilities to Africa and the world at large.

President Tinubu also observed that while a flourishing blue economy is the bedrock of every vibrant nation, the only way to attain such an economy is through “a progressive naval force.”

He sought the commitment and devotion of officers of the Nigerian Navy and their international affiliates, describing them as “the lifeguards of our maritime environment, ” and applauded Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla’s anti-crude oil theft operations which, he noted, has led to increasing levels oil production for Nigeria.

The conference theme, ‘Promoting the Blue Economy in Africa through International Cooperation on Maritime Security’ was poised to engender discourse on how to optimise the benefits of the Blue Economy for economic growth.