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By Emmanuel Adeleke
President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned a locally made Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) 111, aka NNS Oji.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the event marked the inauguration of some recently acquired platforms and the keel-laying ceremony for the construction of Boat-IV and Boat-V.
NNS Oji is the third of its series to be locally built solely by Navy engineers at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Lagos, after the successes of NNS Adoni and NNS Karaduwa, commissioned in 2016 by Buhari.
Speaking, Buhari said the new inductions to the Naval fleet would boost the capability in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain.
He charged all naval personnel to maintain professionalism and ensure good use of the newly built and recently acquired platforms including NNS LANA, KANO, IKENNE, ABA, SOKOTO and OSUN.
“We should note that we are in a critical period where our country is faced with a serious decline in our revenue and the security challenges we are facing.
‘‘The present realities, therefore, call for prudent resource management, innovativeness, accountability and careful maintenance.
‘‘I wish to reiterate that despite these challenges, our administration is very determined to ensure that the Navy is well supported to achieve its statutory responsibilities.
‘‘Let me assure you that the Government will continue to support the ideals of the Nigerian Navy in the performance of its constitutional duties. God bless the Nigerian Navy, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Onward Together,” the president said.
Buhari also lauded the Nigerian Navy for maintaining a steady course in its drive for local content development which he said was in tandem with the philosophy of his administration.
He said the Federal Government’s commitment to properly equip the Navy with the right mix of platforms has seen the Service take delivery of NNS LANA in May 2021 from France.
The president said his administration is aware of the Navy’s dedication in securing the oil and gas industry, the nation’s maritime environment and sea lanes of communications.
“Given the present high dependence on oil and gas revenues, the Navy is undeniably a major contributor to the economic well-being of Nigeria,” the president said.