The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated the second 76-meter high Endurance Offshore Patrol Vessel, constructed by Turkish shipbuilder Dearsan Shipyard for the Nigerian Navy.
Conducting the ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, the First Lady expressed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to a more secure and prosperous nation.
A statement regarding the event was released to journalists in Abuja on Friday by the First Lady’s spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi.
The statement noted that Mrs. Tinubu participated in the traditional practice of “slipping” the vessel into water—a formal custom marking the transfer of a vessel from land to water for the first time.
She stressed that the vessels were a testament to the commitment of President Tinubu’s administration to a more secure maritime environment for economic development.
“The acquisition of the high endurance offshore patrol vessels is another feat in the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the Nigerian Navy’s fleet renewal efforts towards a more secured maritime environment for the nation’s economic prosperity.
“As we appreciate the processes that have brought us here today, I want to commend Dearsan Shipyard for the high-quality ship building capability. I also want to commend the shipyard for attaining this milestone, leading to the launching of the second Offshore patrol vessel.
“Our gathering here today will undoubtedly strengthen the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the shipyard as well as between the Nigerian and Turkish Governments,” she said.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohammed Matawale expressed optimism that the vessels would enhance the nation’s maritime sector.
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