Navy to Hold Presidential Fleet Review 2023 to Honour President Buhari
By Anthonia Okwuolise
In recognition of President Buhari’s unprecedented support to the Nigerian Navy,(NN) in the last 8 years, the NN has concluded plans to flag off Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) 2023, scheduled between 19th and 22nd May, 2023, in Lagos.
This was disclosed by Rear Admiral Saidu Suleiman Garba, Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), who represented the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, CFR, at the International Conference of Chief of Naval Staff, in Abuja.
Recall that the outgoing Buhari’s administration demonstrated enormous political will in making sure the recapitalisation of the NN Fleet which has become the pride of the Gulf of Guinea and one of the most prominent Naval Fleets in Africa.
At the conference, Rear Admiral Saidu Suleiman Garba said the theme of the Navy Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) 2023, is ‘Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity’ and was carefully chosen to underscore the essence and value of the NN, as a responsive Naval Force poised towards the attainment of national prosperity.
He also informed that the review of NN fleets provides an avenue for President Buhari to assess the Navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in Maritime Security, Safety and Defence, within a global/regional collaborative approach.
He clarified that the PFR is usually organised to commemorate historical events, celebration of important anniversaries or any other activities deemed necessary.
According to him, some of the occasions organised for fleet review include special landmarks of either the Navy or the country.
In addition, he said a total of 20 capital ships were procured for the Nigerian Navy, which comprised of Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels, Seaward Defence Boats, Helicopters, as well as, over 300 Inshore Patrol Vessels and Assault crafts.
The President also commissioned 2 locally built ships in 2016 and 2021, and laid the keel for 2 more, which will be ready by 2024.
“It has therefore become expedient to organize the PFR-2023 in celebration of Mr President for his commitment to strengthen the nation’s naval assets and capability to project her instruments of Maritime Power for national prosperity.” he said.
He added that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will be reviewing the Nigerian Navy Fleet and commission two ships; NNS KADA and NNS IBENO and the recently acquired Nigerian Navy Helicopter as about three countries, Brazil, Spain and Ghana will be reviewing their ships too at the Nigerian Navy Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) 2023, scheduled to hold from Friday 19 – Monday 22 May 2023 in Lagos.
The Naval Chief recalled that the Nigerian Navy has attended many Fleet reviews with the nation’s Flag Ship, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) ARADU particularly, in the UK in 2005 to celebrate the Bi-centenary of the battle of Trafalgar and in 2007 in Brazil to celebrate the centenary of the Brazilian Navy.
He said, “NNS THUNDER also sailed to Australia in 2013 to celebrate the centenary of the Australian Navy. More recently, the NN sent personnel to participate in the Bangladesh Navy Fleet Review in December 2022, to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the father of the Bangladesh Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbue Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence.
“There will also be a Guard of Honour for the President, ceremonial sailing Pass Exercise (PASSEX), combat and aerial displays.
“Other activities lined up for the PFR include capability demonstration by NN Special Forces, defence/maritime expo exhibition, combined Naval parade and exercises.”, he said.
The PFR involves 16 NN warships, 3 x AW109E NN helicopters and a mix of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Aircraft. The participating NN ships are NNS THUNDER, NNS CENTENARY, NNS IKENNE, NNS KADA, NNS LANA, NNS KANO, NNS NGURU, NNS IBENO, NNS ABA, NNS OJI, NNS ANDONI, NNS OSUN, NNS OSE, NNS EKULU, NNS GONGOLA and NNS SHIRORO.
The participating NAF aircraft are 1 x MI35 Helicopter, 1 x Diamond-42, 1 x ATR-42 MPA and 3 x A29 Super Tucano. Some foreign warships from allied nations including Spain, Brazil and Ghana are also expected to participate in the exercise.
As a way of rounding off, a Gala Night will be hosted in the evening of Monday 22 May 2023 at the NDL, Victoria Island, Lagos.
PFRs are traditional events, which Navies across the world conduct in order to honour their sovereigns or heads of government. It involves assemblage of ships and other maritime assets at a designated area for the purpose of demonstrating loyalty and allegiance to the State.
