Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, the current president, has expressed trust in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the future president, to maintain the pace of his rule.
This was expressed by Buhari on Monday at the Naval Dockyard Limited on Victoria Island, Lagos, during the Presidential Fleet Review for 2023.
According to Buhari, the next administration will continue to uphold the connection he had with the Nigerian Navy by giving the required support as and when due.
The President declared, “I have no faith that the future government of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu would retain the present tempo of my administration in providing the Navy with the essential assistance to successfully carry out its assigned duty.”
Buhari praised the superb fighting performances put on by the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and a mix of Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force assets.
He stated, “I expect this to translate into the actual capability to dominate Nigeria’s maritime environment and secure the vast resources therein for the socio-economic development of our great country.”
The President listed 20 capital ships for the Navy, including offshore patrol boats, landing ship transports, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defense boats, helicopters, as well as more than 300 inshore patrol boats and assault craft, as part of the administration’s efforts to recapitalize the Navy Fleet over the past seven years.
Buhari did, however, express optimism that Tinubu’s leadership would enable the Navy to continue acquiring new equipment, expanding shipbuilding for export, encouraging indigenous production, stepping up the battle against piracy, and addressing concerns relating to crude oil theft in Nigeria’s maritime domain.
Finally, the President sent his best wishes to the Navy as he prepares to leave office on May 29, 2023.
“My best wishes to our Navy for safeguarding both the economic growth of Nigeria and our maritime domain,” I wish you all good winds as I depart my position on May 29. Together, let’s go on, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he added.