By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Naval Staff, CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla has restated Nigeria’s commitment to broadening partnerships at international levels for improved global maritime security.
A press statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A Adams Aliu said the CNS said this at the 2nd Gulf of Guinea Security Situation Seminar with theme “Maritime Security Situation and Cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea” in Shanghai China.
The seminar brought together the Chiefs of Maritime Forces and the Inter-regional Coordination Center in the Gulf of Guinea to discuss maritime security.
The Naval Chief in his remarks stated that this seminar was significant because it came on 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.
He highlighted 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 active participation of the Chinese Navy 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 Nigerian Navy in the area of ship acquisition, training and technical assistance.
Some examples 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.
The 2nd Gulf of Guinea Security Situation Seminar IN Shanghai China will end on the 6th December 2024.
