Newly China-Built Navy Ship enroute Nigeria

NNS UNITY the newest Nigerian Navy Ship built in China continued her homeward voyage with several port calls enroute Nigeria. The ‘man of war’ departed Simon’s Port South Africa on Fri 25 November 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.

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 the news men 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 4 November 2016.

In view of the importance of this information, you are please requested to disseminate this information for the awareness of all.

Commodore Christian Ezekobe

Director of Information