President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday commended Nigerian Navy collaborative efforts with international partners in safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea maritimes.
He pledged his “administration’s continuous support for all other laudable objectives of the Nigerian Navy, as well as initiatives that will promote security within the Gulf of Guinea.”
The President made the pledge in a key note address he delivered through the National Security Adviser,NSA, Nuhu Ribadu at the opening ceremony of the 8th edition symposium of the Heads of Navies and Coast Guards of Gulf of Guinea countries holding in Abuja.
Stating the importance of Gulf of Guinea, President lauded the efforts of Nigerian Navy in securing the Niger Delta and promoting maritime security in the region. “I acknowledge the lead role you are playing in the increase of crude oil production and security in the Niger Delta,” he said.
He noted that the symposium aligns with the vision of Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 and embodies key aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2060. “Significantly, the symposium is coming at a time when most countries in the Gulf of Guinea are making efforts to enhance the enormous blue economy potentials that exist within this region.
“Indeed, it is worth reiterating that the wider Gulf of Guinea has become the main transit hub and facilitator for Africa’s economic growth.
He emphasised that “the region has vast oil and natural gas reserves supplying about 10% of global energy demand with significant quantities consumed in Europe, North America and Asia.
“The Gulf of Guinea is also a central shipping route for international trade and fishing with an average of about 1,500 tankers, cargo ships as well as fishing vessels transiting the region daily.
“Yet, it is imperative to recognize the untapped potentials within the emerging sectors of the Gulf of Guinea such as marine biotechnology, offshore renewable energy, deep sea mining and marine tourism.
According to President Tinubu, the emerging sectors present unparalleled opportunities for advancing Nigeria’s blue economies, generating employment and contributing to poverty alleviation within the region and Africa at large.
He said in the face of all these blue economic potentials within the Gulf of Guinea, the reality is that our maritime domain is confronted with various challenges including illegal fishing, piracy, smuggling and environmental degradation. These threats not only undermine the security and stability of our seas but also impede the realization of the full economic potentials of the region.
“It is therefore our collective responsibility to foster international cooperation to tackle these challenges and promote sustainable development of our maritime resources.
He said that through shared responsibilities and concerted efforts, we can effectively combat illegal activities at sea, protect our maritime ecosystem and unlock the immense economic opportunities our oceans and waterways offer. This is why Nigeria continues to support collaborative initiatives such as the UNESCO Sea Architecture for the Gulf of Guinea.” he said
The Nigeria government has established Ministry of Maritime and Blue Economy as well as the National Hydrographic Agency and are undertaking several initiatives as it’s contribution to maritime security and sustainable development in the Gulf of Guinea.
He urged for strategic partnerships as he challenged the participants to identify concrete actions that would catalyze positive change in maritime domain.
“As we embark on the collective endeavour, I am conscious of the imperative of global solidarity in addressing maritime security threats for sustainable development.
“By working together, particularly at the period of increased threats within the global waterways, we can strengthen our maritime governance, enhance maritime domain awareness and promote the laws of the sea,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla said the symposium underscored the importance of cooperation and highlight the need to strengthen and expand existing regional and international security initiatives, such as the European Union Coordinated Maritime Presence for the Gulf of Guinea and the Combined Maritime Task Force for the Gulf of Guinea.
He said the symposium is aimed to foster cooperation to develop Africa’s oceans, particularly the Gulf of Guinea nation’s economy and secure maritime environment, whence the theme for this year’s symposium, “Maritime Security and Sustainable Development in the Gulf of Guinea.”
Admiral Ogalla noted that the Gulf of Guinea is a crucial shipping route for global trade and accounts for about 60 percent of Africa’s shipping trade volume and holds enormous resources, particularly in the area of oil and gas.
“The sustainable development and exploitation of these resources, as well as their management, is therefore critical to Africa’s growth and therefore critical to global economy. Of course, there is no gainsaying that Nigeria’s economy depends largely on its oil resources, just like some other nations.
“Also, based on our shared expectations within the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria’s maritime area of interest extends to the wider Gulf of Guinea. This is recognizing that we see a fluid environment where you cannot really perform and achieve anything alone without a shared commitment.
“In line with our statutory rules, the Nigerian Navy continues to conduct maritime security operations and champion the process for international collaboration and security initiatives for the security of the region, that is the Gulf of Guinea, he added.