The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla has, once again, re-emphasized the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to tackling transnational maritime crimes in the Gulf of Guinea.
As a result, he noted that it is expedient for navies to cooperate globally hence the Nigerian Navy remains committed to broadening partnerships at international levels for improved global maritime
Speaking at the ongoing 2nd Gulf of Guinea Security Situation Seminar holding in Shanghai China from 3 – 6 December 2024, Admiral Ogalla stated that the seminar was significant because it came on the heels of the recently concluded 8th Symposium of Heads of Navies and Coast Guards of Gulf of Guinea navies hosted by the Nigerian Navy in Abuja from 26 – 28 November 2024.
The CNS arrived in China on Monday, 2nd December, 2024 to participate in the global gathering of naval chiefs with the theme: “Maritime Security Situation and Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.”
According to the Director of Information (DINFO), Commodore Aiyuwor Adams-Aliu said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that the seminar which China facilitates, brings together the Chiefs of Maritime Forces and the Inter-regional Coordination Center in the Gulf of Guinea to discuss maritime security.
Vice Admiral Ogalla used the opportunity to highlight the improved maritime security situation in the Gulf of Guinea and Nigeria’s role in fostering collaboration in the region.
Such collaborations include working with the European Union through the EU Strategy and Action Plan for the Gulf of Guinea to address transnational crime, supporting the combined Maritime Task Force initiative and reinforcing the capacity of the Yaoundé Architecture.
He also acknowledged the Chinese Navy’s active participation in the International Maritime Conference and Regional Maritime Exercise (INCREMEX) held in May 2024.
He further highlighted the several engagements between the People’s Republic of China and the Nigerian Navy in ship acquisition, training, and technical assistance.
Some of these include the purchase of two 95m Offshore Patrol Boats in 2010 and the donation of two 46m Inshore Patrol Boats by the Chinese Navy in 2014 and 2022 respectively.
About The Author
