President Bola Tinubu has promised that his administration will support initiatives to promote security within the Gulf of Guinea.
This was as the Chief of the French Navy, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, stressed the need for cooperation between naval forces to address maritime challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.
According to him, the Gulf of Guinea has become the main transit hub and facilitator for Africa’s economic growth.
He also said the region has vast oil and natural gas reserves supplying about 10 per cent of global energy demand, with significant quantities consumed in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Represented by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at the opening of the eight Symposium of Heads of Navies and Coastguards in the Gulf of Guinea on maritime environment in Abuja.
The symposium, with the theme “Maritime Security and Sustainable Development in the Gulf of Guinea,” is hosted by the Nigerian Navy in partnership with the European Union and the French Navy.
Tinubu said regional and global collaboration was critical in unlocking the immense potential of the blue economy in the GoG region.
He said, “The region has vast oil and natural gas reserves supplying about 10 per cent of global energy demand, with significant quantities consumed in Europe, North America, and Asia.
“The Gulf of Guinea is also a central shipping route for international trade and fishing, with an average of about 1,500 tankers, cargo ships, as well as fishing vessels transiting the region daily.
“Yet, it is imperative to recognise the untapped potential within the emerging sectors of the GoG, such as marine biotechnology, offshore renewable energy, deep sea mining, and marine tourism.
“These sectors present unparalleled opportunities for advancing our blue economies, generating employment and contributing to poverty alleviation within the region and Africa at large.
“I, therefore, pledge my administration’s continuous support for all other laudable objectives of the Nigerian Navy, as well as initiatives that will promote security within the Gulf of Guinea.”
Lamenting the criminal activities confronting the region, Tinubu called for partnership among countries to ensure a secure and prosperous maritime future.
He said, “I urge all stakeholders present to leverage this symposium as a springboard for transformative action, fostering international cooperation on maritime security, and propelling the GoG towards sustainable development in Africa.
“Together, let us forge a secure, prosperous, and sustainable maritime future for our people and future generations. Such partnership epitomises a workable model that could engender security for increased sustainable development within the region.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Navy towards ensuring a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Gulf of Guinea.
He said that the GoG region had been discovered to hold enormous resources, particularly in the area of oil and gas.
Ogalla added that the sustainable development and exploitation of those resources as well as the management were critical to Africa’s growth and global economy.
“There is no gainsaying that Nigeria’s economy depends largely on its oil resources, and that is similar to some other Gulf of Guinea nations.
“The Interconnectedness of our waters also requires that we strengthen international partnerships for enduring solutions to maritime security,” Ogalla said.
In his remarks, the Chief of the French Navy, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, said the sea was not only a space for cooperation but also for competition and conflict, adding that cooperation between naval forces was key to addressing maritime challenges.
He said the various joint operations and exercises, such as Grand African NEMO and Crocodile Lift, had shown the effectiveness of mutual support and shared information.
He reaffirms France’s commitment to supporting regional efforts and expressed hope that the symposium would lead to concrete initiatives and progress towards securing the region through collaboration and trust.
The PUNCH journalist, Solomon, has five years experience covering crime, judiciary and defence beats.
