BREAKING NEWS
After 108 Years, Canadian Warships Arrive Nigeria
Canadian warships have arrived Nigeria for the first
time in the 108 years existence of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Two of the Canadian Royal Navy warships: HMCS
Summerside and HMCS kingston, visited Nigeria weekend, with a view to establishing
a relationship that will enhance the Nigerian Navy’s efficiency in the Gulf of
Guinea.
The warships, HMCS Kingston and HMCS Summerside,
which are first class coastal defence vessels of the Royal Canadian Navy, have
served in the Canadian Forces since 1996 and 1999 respectively.
They have 75 crew members led by the Commander,
Royal Canadian Navy , Vice Adm. Ron Llyod.
Speaking during a visit to the Flag Officer,
Commanding Western Naval Command, FOC, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Abbah, Llyod
stated that the visit would provide an opportunity for the two navies to
synergize.
He further stated that during the one -week stay in
Nigeria, the warships would participate in Obagame Express, a maritime exercise
conducted by the United States of America Forces, that is designed to enhance
cooperation among participating nations, in order to improve maritime safety
and security in the Gulf of Guinea.
Llod said, “This visit is aimed at fostering the
existing bilateral relationships and to boost capacity of military personnel in
Nigeria.
“We are looking into supporting our excellency (High
Commissioner) with respect to Canadian relationship in Nigeria and we are proud
to have two Canadian ships: HMCS Summer Side and HMCS Kingston that will
operate in the exercise.”
Also speaking, the Canadian High Commissioner to
Nigeria, Christopher Thornley reinstated his country’s commitment to work with
the Nigerian Navy as part of the bilateral relationship.
He said, “Our bilateral relationship is going on and
this is a step in the right direction to see military cooperation as part of
multilateral exercise Operation Obagame.”
Responding, an elated FOC, Rear Admiral Sylvanus
Abbah, who described the visit as a privilege since it was the first time, said
“Canadian Royal Navy came into existence since 1910 and has participated in the
first , second world wars and other wars, including United Nations Peace
Keeping wars.”
“You have the experience and with your strategic
location at the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic ocean, we
hope to tap from your wealth of experience.
“Since we have many of our training institutions,
together, we will fashion out what to do in terms of exchanging our military to
train in both countries”, Abbah stated.
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