16 Warships For Presidential Fleet Review 2023

…Spain, Brazil, Ghana to participate

As preparations have reached its apogee for the Presidential Fleet Review 2023 (PFR-2023), the Nigerian Navy has revealed that 16 NN warships and 3 × AW 109E NN helicopters and a Nigerian Airforce aircraft would be participating in the event.

Some of the ships that have made modest significant impact on the force’s operations in recent times included 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 Presidential Fleet Review is in honour of the Commander-in-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari to appreciate his modest achievements and commitments to the Nigerian Navy leading to the acquisition of several platforms in the last eight years.

Disclosing this, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo in an International Press Conference in Abuja on Wednesday further revealed that the event would take place from May 19 to May 22, 2023 at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The CNS, who was represented by Rear Admiral Saidu Garba, the Chief of Policy and Plans explained that the event symbolizes the culmination of President Buhari’s tenure and his unwavering dedication to fortifying the nation’s naval assets, and demonstrating loyalty and allegiance to the country.

He said the event would serve as a platform to showcase the nation’s naval prowess, which would feature array of activities and exhibitions that highlight the technological advancements and professionalism of the NN.

He observed that the 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.

“The review also provides an avenue for the President to assess the navy’s preparedness to meet statutory obligations in maritime security, safety and defence within a global/regional collaborative approach.

“During a PFR, the President/Head of State is invited to review the fleet in commemoration of a historical event, celebration of important anniversary or any other activity deemed necessary. Some of the occasions to organize a fleet review include special landmarks of either the navy or the country.

“The NN 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.

“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.”

A further historical perspective of PFR in Nigeria indicated that the last PFR was conducted in 2010 in honour of then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and to mark the 50 anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

Admiral Gambo reiterated that during the 8-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari a total of 20 capital ships were procured for the NN. The ships comprise of Offshore Patrol Vessels, Landing Ship Transport, Hydrographic Survey Vessels among others.

The event starts on Friday 19 May 2023 from 5pm – 7pm at the Swimming Pool Side Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos to welcome participants to Lagos, especially the foreign invited guests.

On Saturday 20 May 2023, there are three activities namely: Maritime Discourse at the Admiralty Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard Limited (NDL), Victoria Island, Lagos from 10am – 2pm; the Beach Fair to be hosted by the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) at the Landmark Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos by 12 Noon; and the Cultural Night at the Admiralty Conference Centre, NDL, Victoria Island, Lagos from 7pm-9pm.

The high point of the PFR-2023 will be on Monday 22 May 2023 at the NDL from 9am to 12noon. During the event, Mr President will review the NN Fleet at anchorage along Lagos channel and commission two ships (NNS KADA and NNS IBENO) and a recently acquired NN helicopter. 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 day include capability demonstration by NN Special Forces, Defence/maritime expo exhibition, combined naval parade and exercises.

All these springs of event will be capped with a Gala Night on Monday 22 May 2023 at the NDL, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Some participating foreign warships including Spain, Brazil and Ghana would be involved in the in the exercise.