Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), NNS UNITY, which was under construction in China has been completed. It is on its way to join the Nigerian Navy fleet.
At the handing over and departure ceremony in China, the Chief of Naval Staff, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving all steps taken towards the departure of NNS UNITY.
He stated that the vessel, upon joining the fleet, would strengthen the efforts against all maritime crimes and illegalities in the nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea in general. He also added that the areas hitherto uncovered by other Navy ships will now be covered by NNS UNITY, which will no doubt enhance effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges.
NNS UNITY en route Nigeria will pay ‘port calls’ on some ports of friendly nations before arriving in Nigeria. This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular.
The naval Chief also solicited the maintenance and improved cooperation between Nigeria and the respective China Ship building corporations beyond the departure of the vessel.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Navy Abdulsamad Dasuki, representative Defence Minister Hajia Rabi Tedman, the Consul-General of the Nigerian Mission in Shanghai and Senior Officers of the Nigerian Navy.
NNS UNITY, which left the shores of China on September 21, is due in Nigeria in the first week of November.