… Including inauguration of 3 new Vessels,3 helicopters
The Nigerian Navy has unfolded a week long activities including the inauguration of three newly acquired military patrol Vessels and three Helicopters to mark its 69th Anniversary celebration.
Rear Admiral, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Abdullahi Dewu the Navy Chief of Policy and Plans who itemized the events before journalists on Monday in Abuja said the acquired new Vessels would assist in boosting the nation’s maritime security operations.
The 69th anniversary celebration will commence on Friday May 23, 2025 with the Special Juma’at Prayers at Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja, while the Interdenominational Church Service will hold on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Navy Town, Lagos.
According to Rear Admiral Dewu, in terms of fleet renewal, the Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of more platforms in support of all maritime security operations.
He added that the new patrol vessels due to be inaugurated are “NNS SHERE, NNS FARO and NNS IKOGOSI. All 3 vessels are about 38 meters long with an endurance of five days. Two of the vessels were acquired from Singapore and one from South Korea and they all arrived Nigeria in December 2024.”
He said the vessels will serve as Seaward Defence boats within Nigeria’s littorals up to the 24 nautical mile contiguous zone, and added that when necessary, go beyond in hot pursuit as necessary. Essentially, they will improve our presence at sea.
“Additionally, three more Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters will be commissioned, bringing the total number of helicopters in the Nigerian Navy inventory to 14, thus improving our air operations exponentially. As you are aware the maritime domain is common to all because maritime boundaries cannot be accurately defined like land boundaries.
“Hence the Nigerian Navy has staged and participated in several local and international exercises with Gulf of Guinea States and foreign partners to achieve synergy in maritime security. Most important is the recently concluded EXERCISE OBANGAME
EXPRESS 2025, which was conducted from 10 – 16 May 2025.
“This exercise brought together navies of Gulf of Guinea states and foreign partners including USA, Brazil, Italy and Spain. I am happy to say that it was a very successful exercise, which underscored the resolve of Gulf of Guinea nations to present a common front in the fight against maritime crimes.”
According to Rear Admiral Dewu ”Medical Rhapsodies and Naval Officers’ Wives Association Activities will be held simultaneously on Monday, May 26, 2025 in Nigerian Navy host communities across Commands.
Thereafter, a Sailing Competition and Boat Race will take place at the Nigerian Navy Sailing Club in Lagos on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. On that same day, there will be an unveiling of the newly remodeled auditorium of the International Maritime Institute of Nigeria. He recalled that the Institute was established during the Navy Week last year as the brainchild of the Chief of Naval Staff.
”The International Maritime Institute was conceptualized to be the most veritable platform and think/tank for maritime strategic thinkers, practitioners and foreign allies to share ideas and undertake research in maritime strategic affairs and since then, the Institute has made some modest achievements.
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, ships will be open to visitors in all Commands of the Navy. Nigerian Navy enjoined the public to make effort to visit any of its ships in Lagos, Warri, Port Harcourt or Calabar.
Similarly, the next day, Friday , May 30 2025, designated ships across all Commands will take all our visitors to sea for a few hours during the day. Once again, you are invited to go onboard our ships with your family and friends to experience life at sea. On the same day, there will be a Golf Kitty at the Dolphin Golf Club in Navy Town Ojo, Lagos.
The commissioning of 3 ships, 3 helicopters and junior officers’ accommodation will take place on Saturday, 31 May 2025 at NNS BEECROFT Apapa, Lagos.
Activities marking the Navy Week Celebration this year will be rounded off on Sunday, 1 June 2025, with the Ceremonial Sunset and Dinner at Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.