NNS KADA drop’s anchor in Gabon

The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA, at the weekend, dropped her anchor at Port Gabon.

The activity is part of the ship’s flag showing visit as she makes her maiden voyage to Nigeria.

NNS KADA made a brief stop-over at Port Gentil, Gabon on Saturday May 21 and it would be her last Port Call before her arrival to Lagos.

The ship’s presence at Gentil, Gabon, sparked off excitement around the coast of Gabon as many sailors stormed the place to catch a glimpse of the latest ship in the inventory of the Nigerian Navy.

At Gentil, NNS KADA was received by the Deputy Mayor of Port Gentil, Mr Micheal Mboumba in company of Commander Pouta Honore, who represented the Commander of General Bolingui Koumba Base as well as the representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Gabonese Navy, Lieutenant Commander S Soumbity.

Also, a team from the Nigerian embassy comprising the Nigerian Ambassador (Amb) to Gabon, His Excellency, Amb Raymond Brown, the Nigerian Defence Attache overseeing Gabon, Captain C Azuike and a delegation from the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) led by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral IA Dewu.

Admiral Dewu represented the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo. He was accompanied by other senior officers, who were all on ground to receive NNS KADA.

In line with tradition, the Nigerian Embassy and NHQ delegates, including the Commanding Officer NNS KADA, Captain RO Adoki paid courtesy calls on some heads of selected government establishments. These include the Government House Ogooeu Maritime Province, the Port Gentil Council and the Naval Base, Port Gentil.

The Governor of the Ogooue Maritime Province, represented by the Secretary General to the government, Mrs Roponat Mbina, appreciated the Nigerian delegation and wished them well in their mission in Port Gentil. Similarly, the Representative of the Commander of the General Bolingui Koumba Base welcomed the team and described their coming as auspicious as it will boost the relationship between the NN and Gabonese Navy for the security of the common maritime areas of both countries.

Responding to the remarks, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Gabon stressed on the need for African countries to strive to invest in assets to secure and protect themselves.

He further stated that the coming of NNS KADA echoes the effort for capacity building of Nigeria towards this objective.

Meanwhile, on his part, the representative of the CNS (NN) noted that the vessel is a Landing Ship Tank and is replacing 2 previous vessels of similar capability. Furthermore, he noted the multiple roles of the vessel which include Sealift, Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Operations, Transportation and Maritime security operations, among others.