By Olusegun Olanrewaju
The Nigerian Navy is celebrating the introduction of a new ship, NNS KADA, which has joined its fleet.

The latest ship and its crew berthed on Nigeria’s shores on May 27 on its maiden trip from the United Arab Emirates and was received by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Zubairu Gambo, and other officers.

Speaking at the reception, at the NNS BEECROFT Parade Ground, Apapa, Gambo said the arrival of the ship into the Nigerian Navy fleet would further enhance our deterrence capability against maritime crimes and illegalities within the nation’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea.

He added that the vessel will serve as a ‘force multiplier’ to project power, respond to humanitarian crises and convey relief materials in support of non-kinetic operations within the region and beyond.

According to him, NNS KADA will no doubt boost the Nigerian Navy’s capability in support of the ECOWAS mandate.

“This acquisition could not have been possible without the support and commitment of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whose desire is for the NN to have the requisite capability to meet her constitutional mandate for the nation’s economic prosperity. I, therefore, wish to once again thank Mr. President for his enormous support to the NN’s recapitalisation effort,” the naval chief said.

Going down memory lane, Wambai noted that, about a year ago, precisely on 17 May 2021, “We were gathered here to welcome our state-of-the-art Hydrographic Survey vessel – NNS LANA from France.

“A year later, sequel to a colourful Change of Flag Ceremony on 1 April 2022 at Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, I, in the company of very senior dignitaries and government officials, bid NNS KADA farewell on her homebound voyage.

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“After riding on waves at sea for 56 days and covering a distance of 8,414.34 nautical miles, we are here to say welcome. I am indeed grateful to the Almighty God for granting the ship and crew safe passage. This reception ceremony, therefore, elicits my heart and radiates joy as well as a feeling of accomplishment just as every member of the ship’s company including their family members and loved ones feels today.

He added that the ship’s maiden voyage allowed the ship’s company to pay port calls in five countries, which include Port Duqm in Oman, Port Mombasa in Kenya, and Port Cape Town in South Africa. Others are Port Luanda in Angola and Port Gentil in Gabon.

“These port calls were in line with the Nigerian Navy’s diplomatic role, an opportunity to further consolidate the nation’s relations with friendly littoral states and allies. I wish to commend the enthusiasm and professionalism exhibited by the Commanding Officer and his ship’s company throughout the voyage. This commendable conduct aligns with the Nigerian Navy’s core values of Professionalism, Integrity, and Teamwork and I enjoin the ship’s crew to keep it up,” he said.

On behalf of the CNS, the FOC expressed gratitude to guests, adding that the Nigerian Navy has been discharging its constitutional role and faces numerous challenges such as crude oil theft, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, smuggling, arms proliferation, sea robbery, and piracy, amongst others.

“As a leading Navy in the African continent, the Nigerian Navy strives to ensure that these challenges are mitigated to ensure optimal performance. To this end, the Nigerian Navy formulated a Strategic Plan that was to enhance optimal performance in light of 21 Century trends.

“One of the pillars of the Strategised Plan was Fleet Renewal that was to replace the aging Fleet in the Nigerian Navy. It would be recalled that on the 17 of May 2021 the Nigerian Navy welcomed NNS LANA, a Hydrographic specialised vessel. One year afterward, we were again gathered to receive another specialised vessel NNS KADA, a Landing Ship Tank into the Nigerian Navy inventory.

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“The Western Naval Command is indeed grateful for this rare privilege and honour. It is worthy to state that with the acquisition of Nigerian Navy Ship KADA, the Nigerian Navy is better positioned to enhance its operations, especially as it concerns sealift operations and presence at sea, thus achieving the Nigerian Navy Mandate. I have to state here that the Nigerian Navy Ship KADA is a replacement for the decommissioned Landing Ship Tanks Nigerian Navy Ship AMBE/OFIOM.

“I wish to assure you that the induction of Nigerian Navy Ship KADA into service would ensure enhanced operations and thus better security and safety of the maritime space. At this junction let me commend the Ships’ Company of Nigerian Navy Ship KADA for a job well done and also appreciate the families of the personnel who made all the sacrifices to persevere during the absence of their spouses and parents. I wish to thank the Chief of the Naval Staff for the strong leadership that ensured this day is a reality.”