The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Wednesday received Prince
Charles of Wales as part of efforts to deepen the dividends of maritime
security cooperation between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The visit was quite symbolic given that the NN was
an off shoot of Britain's Royal Navy before Nigerian gained independence.
The Prince of Wales who arrived at the jetty of the
Naval Dockyard Limited in Victoria Island, Lagos, at about 1:46 p.m. was received
by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
After mounting the podium, the Nigerian navy Ceremonial
Guard presented the salute before playing one stanza of the UK National Anthem.
He immediately boarded Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS)
EKULU, where the Commanding Officer,
Commander Andrew Zidon, received him alongside the Flag Officer Commanding,
Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Habila Ngalabak, and other senior officers
who paid compliments too.
After he was escorted to the quarterdeck and ascended
to the Flying Bridge, he was received onboard and saluted by all before the
vessel set sail.
While at sea, the heir apparent to the British
throne received a brief overview of UK defence in Nigeria and the gains of the
NN in securing the country's vast maritime domain.
As he began sailing the area of responsibility
(AOR), the objective of the visit was thus achieved.
He was afterwards escorted to the wardroom by Zidon
and invited to sign the ship visitors book before he bid farewell and
disembarked.
Charles however paused to receive a hearty three
cheers from the ship company before departing with his team.
According to information provided by the Director
Navy Information Officer, Commodore Ayo Olugbode, the objectives of the visit
was to highlight and demonstrate to the prince the UK maritime contribution to
defence engagement in Nigeria and the importance of Lagos Harbour to the
Nigerian economy.
He said: "Another objective of his visit was
to strengthen relations with the Nigerian navy by visiting NNS EKULU and
meeting the Chief of Naval Staff and other personnel.
"The visit was also an opportunity to raise
the profile of UK-Nigerian maritime security cooperation."
Ibas, while speaking with journalists after the
departure of Prince Charles, said the visit was an encouragement for the navy,
adding that it would also show the participation of the royal navy on our
waters.
According to the Chief of Naval Staff, "The
Nigerian Navy is an offshoot of the Royal Navy and he was also here to see by
himself the progress being made through the cooperative support the royal navy
has been giving Nigeria."
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