The Chief of
Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas, says the Nigerian Navy has
inaugurated Regional Maritime Awareness Domain (RMDA) Training school in Lagos
to assist naval personnel in tackling maritime security challenges in the Gulf
of Guinea (GOG).
Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ette Ibas, says the Nigerian Navy has
inaugurated Regional Maritime Awareness Domain (RMDA) Training school in Lagos
to assist naval personnel in tackling maritime security challenges in the Gulf
of Guinea (GOG).
Speaking in Lagos
at the opening ceremony of the regional sea exercise, code named “Obangame
Express”, Ibas said that school would enhance maritime surveillance and the
operationalization of the Yaoundé Accord.
at the opening ceremony of the regional sea exercise, code named “Obangame
Express”, Ibas said that school would enhance maritime surveillance and the
operationalization of the Yaoundé Accord.
He said that the
RMDA training school was facilitated by the US Government and urged regional
navies to seize the opportunity for joint training offered to steadily improve
capacity for collective response to security challenges in the GOG.
RMDA training school was facilitated by the US Government and urged regional
navies to seize the opportunity for joint training offered to steadily improve
capacity for collective response to security challenges in the GOG.
“The training
school is expected to be beneficial to Nigeria, as it allows the training of a
pool of naval personnel and other stakeholders operating legitimately in
Nigeria’s maritime domain.
school is expected to be beneficial to Nigeria, as it allows the training of a
pool of naval personnel and other stakeholders operating legitimately in
Nigeria’s maritime domain.
“The training
school will also facilitate the synergy and cooperation between GOG countries
in fulfillment and operationalisation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct,” he said.
school will also facilitate the synergy and cooperation between GOG countries
in fulfillment and operationalisation of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct,” he said.
On the sea exercise
Obangame Express, Ibas thanked all the participating countries for their
contributions in ensuring peace, stability and safe conduct in the maritime
domain.
Obangame Express, Ibas thanked all the participating countries for their
contributions in ensuring peace, stability and safe conduct in the maritime
domain.
“It is common dictum
that the vast resources and opportunities in the maritime environment of the
GOG hold the prospect to finding solution to the economic and developmental
aspirations of African states.
that the vast resources and opportunities in the maritime environment of the
GOG hold the prospect to finding solution to the economic and developmental
aspirations of African states.
“The
region has, however, frequently been unwholesomely challenged by multifaceted
and evolving maritime threats which have led to unpredictable threat-Ievels and
deepening conditions inimical to peace and security.
region has, however, frequently been unwholesomely challenged by multifaceted
and evolving maritime threats which have led to unpredictable threat-Ievels and
deepening conditions inimical to peace and security.
“Of particular
concern is the realisation that many of these threats to effective exploitation
and beneficial use of our maritime environment increasingly manifest as
transnational and cross-border crimes and other illegalities.
concern is the realisation that many of these threats to effective exploitation
and beneficial use of our maritime environment increasingly manifest as
transnational and cross-border crimes and other illegalities.
“The migratory
nature of these threats invariably calls for a united response by the regional
navies and ‘coastguards through the’ pursuit of prudent capacity building
actions on a collaborative model,” he said.
nature of these threats invariably calls for a united response by the regional
navies and ‘coastguards through the’ pursuit of prudent capacity building
actions on a collaborative model,” he said.
The CNS said this
approach offered a feasible strategy for addressing the challenges of
developing Africa’s blue economy.
approach offered a feasible strategy for addressing the challenges of
developing Africa’s blue economy.
“This esteemed
assembly is no doubt fully abreast of the gains of the African Integrated
Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 and the Yaounde Code of Conduct of 2013 which
have facilitated capacity building within a defined architecture for regional
maritime security operations.
assembly is no doubt fully abreast of the gains of the African Integrated
Maritime Strategy (AIMS) 2050 and the Yaounde Code of Conduct of 2013 which
have facilitated capacity building within a defined architecture for regional
maritime security operations.
“This is the spirit
that birthed the OBANGAME EXPRESS as a tool for enhancing the collective
capabilities of GOG countries to counter sea-based illicit activities by
improving regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and tactical
interdiction expertise,” he said.
that birthed the OBANGAME EXPRESS as a tool for enhancing the collective
capabilities of GOG countries to counter sea-based illicit activities by
improving regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness and tactical
interdiction expertise,” he said.
Ibas said these
instruments had also emplaced standards for inter-regional co-operation based
on law enforcement at sea, information sharing and training, further enhancing
multilateral collaboration in the GOG.
instruments had also emplaced standards for inter-regional co-operation based
on law enforcement at sea, information sharing and training, further enhancing
multilateral collaboration in the GOG.
“This is the spirit
that birthed the Obangame express as a tool for enhancing the collective
capabilities of GOG countries to counter sea-based illicit activities,” he
said. (NAN)
that birthed the Obangame express as a tool for enhancing the collective
capabilities of GOG countries to counter sea-based illicit activities,” he
said. (NAN)
