Nigerian Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), NNS Unity, which has been under construction in China, has been completed and on the way to join the Nigerian Navy fleet.

At the Handing over and departure ceremony in China, the Chief of the Naval Staff represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani, conveyed the appreciation of the Navy to the Commander-In-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari for approving all steps taken towards the departure of NNS Unity.

A statement issued Wednesday by Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore COR Ezekobe, quoted the Naval Chief as having said that the NNS vessel upon joining the NN 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 areas that the NN Ship were hitherto unable to cover will now be covered by NNS Unity which will no doubt enhance the NN’s effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges within Nigeria’s waters.

“NNS Unity enroute Nigeria will pay ‘port calls’ on some ports of friendly nations before arriving Nigeria. This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister Navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular. He concluded by soliciting the maintenance and improved cooperation between Nigeria and the respective China Ship building corporations further beyond the departure of NNS Unity,” Ezekobe said.

The ceremony which was adjudged a success was attended by Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senator Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Navy, Honourable Abdulsamad Dasuki, a representative of the Minister of Defence, Hajia Rabi Tedman, the Consul General of Nigerian Mission in Shanghai and Senior Officers of the Nigerian Navy. NNS Unity departed China today, September 21, 2016 and is expected to arrive Nigeria in the first week of November 2016.

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