The Nigerian Navy has announced the homeward journey of its newest Ship, NNS Unity, built in China, with several port calls enroute Nigeria.

“The ‘Man of War’ departed Simon’s Port, South Africa on Friday, 25 October, 2016. On arrival at the Port of Luanda, Angola the representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed received the ship and her crew in Angola,” the Navy said in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe.

Also present to receive the ship were the Captain of the Port of Luanda, Captain Henrique Pedro, Director of International Relations, Angolan Ministry of Defence, General Jose De Sousa and the Nigerian Ambassador to Angola, Mr. Ofon Tom Etuknwa.

Briefing newsmen after the welcoming ceremony, the representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff said, the ‘Man of War’ on joining the Nigerian Navy fleet, “will consolidate on the successes being recorded in the fight against piracy, maritime crime and other illegalities in our maritime domain up to the Gulf of Guinea.

Further acquisitions are in the offing for the Nigerian Navy as the current administration is keen on increasing the number of capital ships in the Nigerian Navy to bring our Navy at par with stronger navies around the world. One of the advantages of this ship is that maintaining it is not as capital intensive as other capital ships in the Nigerian Navy inventory. It would be recalled that NNS Unity departed China on 21 September 2016 on her maiden voyage to Nigeria. The ship is being commanded by Captain Abolade Ogunleye and is expected to arrive Nigeria on November 4, 2016.

•Photo shows representative of the CNS, R ADM Ifeoluwa Mohammed, exchanging gift with captain of the Port of Luanda, Captain Henrique Pedro.

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