Urges navy to secure nation’s maritime future

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

He also implored the Nigerian Navy and its African partners to focus on achieving a secure and prosperous maritime future beneficial to all, saying Nigeria could not afford to fail in its responsibilities to Africa and the world at large.

The President made the call, yesterday when he declared open the 2024 International Maritime Conference held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Represented at the conference by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu observed that while a flourishing blue economy remained the bedrock of every vibrant nation, the only way to attain such an economy, according to him, 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.”

In his speech titled, “It’s Time to Secure Our Maritime Future,” read by Vice President Shettima, the President said: “This conference must inspire all stakeholders to see the big picture—that we cannot afford to fail in our responsibilities to the continent and, indeed, the entire world.

“Let us work towards a maritime future that is secure, prosperous, sustainable, and beneficial to all our people and the generations to come.”

I urge you all to feel at home and take advantage of the investment opportunities that abound in Nigeria’s blue economy.”

Noting that the conferees have a role to play in the bid to maximise the potential of the blue economy, which he pegged per year at $1.5 trillion globally and $300 billion continentally, Tinubu said: “The wealth of Africa can never be realised unless we prioritise the protection and development of our maritime environment.”

Specifically, the President commended the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and the naval officers for “creating a safe and secure environment for economic growth and prosperity.

Earlier in his welcome address, Ogalla said the outcome of the 2024 International Maritime Conference, organised to commemorate the 68 anniversary of the Nigerian Navy, would go a long way in enhancing its capabilities and strengthening existing collaborations in safeguarding the nation’s maritime environment.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, urged participants at the conference to come up with innovative ways navies in the sub-region could discharge their duties, and for Nigeria, in actualising the vision of President Tinubu for the safety and security of the nation’s maritime environment.

The Deputy Governor of Lagos, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, while acknowledging the significant strides of the Nigerian Navy, especially in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain, said the conference showcased the country’s rich maritime heritage and the efforts of the navies in the Gulf of Guinea.

On arrival at the Naval Dockyard, the Vice President commissioned three newly acquired naval ships: Nigerian Navy Ship OCHUZO, Nigerian Navy Ship CHALAWA, and Nigerian Navy Ship ZUR, and two helicopters – Nigerian Navy 412 and Nigerian Navy 414.