By OKOSUN DENNIS
The second Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NNS UNITY which was constructed in China has begun its first voyage to Nigeria after its completion and handed over to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas in China.
This will be the second of such vessel to be added to the Nigerian Navy fleet after NNS CENTENNARY was commissioned by the former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
At the handing over and departure ceremony in China, the Chief of the Naval Staff, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani conveyed the appreciation of the Navy to the C-In-C, President Muhammadu Buhari for approving all steps taken towards the departure of NNS UNITY.
According to the Director of Information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe said in Abuja on Thursday that NNS UNITY would strengthen the efforts of the NN against all maritime crimes and illegalities in the nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea in general.
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He further added that areas hitherto that were unable to be covered by other NN ships will now be covered by NNS UNITY which will, no doubt, enhance the NN’s effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges within Nigeria’s waters.
As part of its diplomatic functions, NNS UNITY enroute Nigeria would pay ‘port calls’ on some ports of friendly nations before she arrives in Nigeria in November, 2016.
“This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular, Cdre Ezekobe added.
The ceremony which was adjudged a success was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representative Committee on the Navy, Honourable Abdulsamad Dasuki, representatives of the Honourable Minister of Defense, Hajia Rabi Tedman, the Consul General of Nigerian Mission in Shanghai and Senior Officers of the Nigerian Navy.
NNS UNITY departed China on the 21 September 2016 and expected to arrive Nigeria in the first week of November 2016.