The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) has tasked the Nigerian Navy to continue to raise the bar of maritime Defence for enhanced National economic prosperity.
General Magashi (rtd) stated this at the 2023 Presidential Fleet Review Maritime Discourse held at the Naval Dockyard Lagos on Saturday.
He described as unacceptable the threat by the die – hard criminal’s who remain resolute on carrying out their nefarious activities on the nation’s maritime environment.
He expressed satisfaction that the Nigerian Navy has continued to obliterate them (criminals) towards safeguarding national prosperity.
While appreciating the unwavering support of the Commander- in- Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, to the Nigerian Navy, the Minister acknowledged the impressive performance of the Leadership of the service for maintaining the capabilities of the service.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo, observed that the prosperity of littoral nations of which Nigeria is one is linked to safe and secured maritime assets to which the service is committed to driving the maximum economic benefits of the country.
“As such, any impediment within the environment due to unavailability of a prepared naval fleet, would have undesirable consequences on economic survival of nations.
“These amongst others, are compelling reasons to further explore and unwrap formidable factors that can guarantee a prepared naval fleet poised to ameliorate maritime insecurity for prosperity.
“Certainly, it is envisaged that this maritime discourse would provide a platform to collectively interrogate and highlight components of Naval Fleet readiness and how these components could be sequenced to deliver Nigerian Navy operational objectives for enhanced national prosperity.
The CNS continued, “It is against this backdrop, that the theme for the Presidential Fleet Review, ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity’, was conceptualized to support this strategic level initiative and to emphasize essence of a ready and responsive naval fleet as well as its contributions towards attainment of national prosperity.
“A critical consideration of this concept is derived from interactions of the triune factors of the Man, representing the crew; the Machine, representing the various platforms and the Process, which encapsulates doctrine, policy and strategy.
“In order to put the foregoing imperatives into practical contexts, the theme was sub-divided into 4 areas; Doctrine/work up, Logistics Support, Fleet Maintenance and Crew Preparedness.
“I am certain that unbundling the theme at this discourse would assist in deriving benefits of this all-important interaction, which is to project Nigerian Navy’s current and future efforts to consolidate a robust fleet that is ever ready to carry out its constitutional mandate and implied tasks, in conjunction with other government agencies, maritime stakeholders, allies and partners for the achievement of national prosperity.
“In this regard, it is pertinent to state that the Nigerian Navy has achieved several commendable milestones within the last 8 years, ranging from recapitalization and strengthening collaborative efforts with national and international stakeholders.
“These could not have been possible without the tremendous backing of Mr President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari
He also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi for his fatherly support.
The maritime Discourse which attracted members of the National Assembly, the Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana Heads of Foreign Navies, Icons of the Nigerian Navy and members of the diplomatic Corps featured Panel of discussants and presentation of papers on the subject matter.
