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The Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Awwul Zubairu Gambo on Friday, 4th February, 2023 said that Exercise Obangame Express 2023 has created a veritable environment for all the participating nations and allies to improve their competencies by relating with one another which was the hallmark of the successes recorded.
While given his closing remarks, he expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness that led to a commendable performances especially as the objectives of the exercise were achieved.
Admiral Gambo who declared the exercise closed, spoke at the Admiralty Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He applauded all the partner nations of United States of America and Kingdom of Spain that despatched ships to participate in this year’s edition.
Observing that such efforts have enhanced capacity development as well as facilitating a safe, more secure and enabling maritime environment for socio-evonomic activities to thrive within the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), added that “lessons are learnt and lessons would abide.”
According to him, “It’s imperative that lessons from Exercise Obangame will be developed into collaborative action and plans that would support achieving high level initiatives that would enhance our collective preparedness to successfully curb maritime challenges in the changing environment in the GoG and beyond.
Adumbrating, Admiral Gambo stressed that “no single navy or Coastal Guard can do it alone” hence efforts must be made by encouraging and fostering regional cooperation and collaboration. This include Exercise Obangame Express since 2010 establishment of maritime awareness facilities in coastal states in the GoG and sustaining capacity through training school in Apapa, Lagos.
“These are powerful testimony to the steadfast commitment of the US government to enhance maritime security across the world.
“The magnitude of most maritime threats and their inter-connectedness demands that we keep coming together to fashion collaborative friends responses,” he reiterated.
In his remarks, the Deputy Commander, US AFRICOM, Lt Gen Kirk Smith expressed satisfaction with the energy brought to bear by all the participating nations adding that “multi partners coming together and understanding shared challenges” are vital in exercise of this magnitude.
“In the last two days of my involvement in the exercise, I have seen of the Nigerian Navy the capacity, professionalism your forces exhibited not only in the exercise but everyday. As a regional leaders, I understand the importance of the Nigerian Navy. Attention to every little detail is what makes us professional.”
Earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Yakubu Wambai was happy with the high standards of the exercise and applauded every nation that participated.
On his part, in his debrief as the Chief Observer, Naval Doctrine Command, Capt I.P Udoudoh explained some pitfalls and challenges during the exercise, adding that the objective was to enhance regional cooperation with other internal navies and maritime stakeholders.
Exercise Obamgame is the largest maritime exercise in Africa and the 2023 edition had 32 nations participated with 20 African countries and 12 foreign allies nations. A total of 900 personnel were involved in the one-week sea exercise.
