The Nigerian Navy marked its 68th anniversary today with an international press conference held at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja.
Rear Admiral Joseph Daniel Akpan, Chief of Policy and Plans, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff.
The anniversary celebrations, set to run from May 24 to June 1 in Lagos, will feature a series of activities aimed at showcasing the Navy’s progress and operational readiness.
The events include religious services, medical outreaches, and activities by the Naval Officers’ Wives Association.
A highlight of the celebration will be the Regional Maritime Exercise and International Maritime Conference, scheduled to be flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This exercise will see participation from navies across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, demonstrating the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to international maritime cooperation.
In his address, Rear Admiral Akpan emphasized the Navy’s successes under Vice Admiral Ogalla’s leadership, particularly in combating crude oil theft through OPERATION DELTA SANITY.
This operation, relaunched in January 2024, has led to the arrest of numerous suspects and vessels involved in oil theft, contributing to an increase in Nigeria’s crude oil exports from 1.23 million barrels per day in March to 1.28 million in April, according to OPEC.
The Navy’s Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy has also enhanced maritime security, resulting in Nigeria maintaining a zero-piracy status in the International Maritime Bureau’s ratings.
The Navy’s fleet renewal program, which includes new vessels and helicopters, has bolstered its capabilities in anti-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.
Further, the establishment of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria in Rivers State and the new composite operations base in Enugu State are part of the Navy’s strategic infrastructure development.
These initiatives aim to enhance maritime training and address security challenges in various regions.
During the press conference, journalists raised several questions especially about the impact of OPERATION DELTA SANITY on oil export figures.
Responding Rear Admiral Akpan highlighted the operation’s success and its positive impact on Nigeria’s standing as Africa’s top crude oil exporter.
They also sought insights into the significance of the Navy Week celebrations to which Rear Admiral Akpan noted that the events are designed to demonstrate the Navy’s readiness and foster international collaboration against maritime crimes, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
The Journalists equally asked about the Navy’s efforts in combating piracy and Rear Admiral Akpan proudly stated that Nigeria has been removed from the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy-prone areas list, with minimal piracy incidents reported in Nigerian waters since 2022.
The Navy Week will culminate with the commissioning of new ships and helicopters, the opening of the International Maritime Exhibition, and the meeting of Gulf of Guinea naval heads, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in regional maritime security.
LV