The diplomatic and military relationship between the People’s Republic of China and Nigeria received a boost with the donation of a 46-metre patrol vessel and other equipment to the Nigerian Navy. OGUNTADE ISMAILA reports
The equipment
The People’s Republic of China at Beecroft Parade Ground of Western Naval Command Apapa, Lagos state, Friday donated a 46 meters patrol vessel and military equipment to the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking at the handing/taking over ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Cui Jian Chun, said Nigeria was an important country in Africa and therefore could not be ignored by China.
Reflecting on the diplomatic relationship that has existed between the two nations, he noted that both countries have great challenges in terms of economic, population and domestic challenges but could work together to build confidence.
“Let the people know of our competences to fight against terrorists, bandits and piracy.
“Right now, there are no cases of piracy. In 2021, there were 12 cases of pirates but in 2022, it is zero case and these are tremendous achievements by the military. With these equipment, your military can patrol and keep the maritime domain safe,” he said.
Cooperation
Speaking further, Ambassador Chun, while outlining the areas that will enhance military cooperation between Nigeria and China, said that technology, manpower development and ICT, are essential to achieving the diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.
He also noted that economic cooperation is another area that China is willing to share experiences with Nigeria.
He said: “In China we have 1.4billion people under the leadership of a communist party. We accomplished the first certain years ago; eradication of absolute poverty, but in Nigeria, we would like to share with you how you can be by the year 2030 to achieve these greater goals.
“So, the economic sector is really important; the use of world economic cooperation to prioritize areas are infrastructure, ICT industry, investment, and import and export. I have no time to liberate all the five accounts to the military and security sectors.
“I believe here today that the two countries can work together in the following five aspects: The first is technology; because, technology- driven is a dream not only for the Chinese military, but also for the Nigerian armed forces.
“Technically speaking, it is very important for the two countries. Second, is body equipment, we need state of- the- art equipment to prove our military men and women to fight in the battle. Also, the need for human resources and that means how we can have ideas to build our qualified, sufficient and adequate human resources.”
“Lastly, it is about the foreign aid. Today is a very good example. China donates war vessel boats to Nigeria, so that we can expand cooperation; and I have asked my senior colonel to please do their best to bring more resources to Nigeria.”
Defense minister
Receiving the equipment, Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi(retd), said the gesture was a consolidation of the bilateral defence agreement between the two countries.
Magashi, represented by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Ibrahim Kana, said current efforts of the federal government towards supporting the military to combat insecurity in the country had been yielding tremendous success.
He observed that with the support and donation of equipment from strategic partners like China, the capability of the Nigerian Armed Forces would be further enhanced.
He vowed that the equipment and platform will be deployed to enhance operations of the Armed Forces for improved security in different parts of the country.
He said: “The move further consolidates the Defence bilateral agreement between the People’s Republic of China and Federal Republic of Nigeria especially with the donation of these high-grade military equipment and a maritime platform”.
The minister said the current efforts of the federal government towards supporting the military to combat insecurity has been impactful and yielding tremendous successes.
“With the support and donation of equipment and platforms from strategic partners like the People’s Republic of China, capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would be further improved.
“These will no doubt boost socio-economic development for enhanced national security as well as regional stability. This means that the impact of these donated equipment will not only be felt in Nigeria but in the West Africa Sub region as well as the whole continent of Africa,” he added.
CNS
In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo expressed joy at the donation, which according to him, “is another milestone in bilateral collaboration between the countries and a test to China’s willingness and resilience in safe and secured maritime environment for social and economic activities to thrive in Nigeria and beyond.”
The CNS further explained that the tremendous support from China which dates back to many decades ago, “has positively enhanced the capacity of the Nigerian Navy and would further boost its presence at sea to curb insecurity within our maritime domain.”
He added that as part of fleet recapitalization efforts of the Nigerian Navy, it had in 2015 and 2016 respectively acquired two 95.6metres offshore patrol vessels from China , NNS Centenary and NNS Unity, which have greatly impacted its presence at sea.
“These vessels have enhanced Nigerian Navy security operations leading to the reduction of the nuisance value of piracy in the Nigerian maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea leading to the delisting of Nigeria from the list of pirates prone countries by the International Maritime Bureau in 2022.
“I am optimistic that this vessel will further enhance Nigerian Navy presence at sea towards curbing insecurity within the nation’s maritime domain and beyond,” he said.
