Navy Flags off Sea Exercise, Obangeme Express

The Nigerian Navy will today kick off its sea exercise, Obangeme Express.

Addressing journalists on board NNS OKPABANA yesterday, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command and Officer in Tactical Command of the Exercise, Rear Admiral James Oluwole, said the exercise which would last from March 24 to 28 would involve 30 nations and two regional organisations.

“Exercise Obangame Express is a multinational maritime exercise sponsored by U.S Africa Command that brings together African, European, South American, and U.S. forces – part of Global Network of Navies – to promote inter-agency and transnational cooperation and coordination on maritime safety and security,” he said.

He disclosed that the word “Obangeme” means “togetherness” in the Fang Language of Southern Cameroon and other parts of Central Africa and was selected by African participants during a proof of concept for this exercise in 2010 to promote the importance of regional cooperation between all the navies of the Gulf of Guinea.

He explained, “The purpose of the exercise is to test multinational maritime forces in a broad range of naval operations to deter piracy, illicit trafficking, and other maritime threats. The exercise will also involve land-based maritime operations centres throughout the region in order to prove their levels of interoperability and coordination.

“Thirty nations and two regional organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African State (ECCAS) are involved in the exercise.

“The Nigerian phase of Exercise Obangeme is scheduled for 24 – 28 March and will be conducted in the nation’s waters. NNS OKPABANA, NNS CENTENARY, NNS SAGBAMA and one helicopter will be participating in the exercise along with a French Navy Ship, JACOUBER which will sail into Nigerian waters from Cameroon.”

He said the purpose of Exercise Obangeme Express is “to create realistic scenarios that reflect past piracy incidents whereby a hijacked vessel will transit from one territory to another. Maritime Operation Centres (MOCs) during the exercise will be challenged to recognise these illicit acts appropriately and share with other MOCs. Additionally, the exercise will test each individual maritime force to patrol their Exclusive Economic Zones and detect and prosecute illegal activity accordingly.”