Navy’s spokesperson, Commodore Ayo Vaughan, has said that the Chinese warship that docked in Lagos port yesterday was on diplomatic visit to Nigeria, assuring there was nothing to worry about.
A China warship, MSL DESTROYER, on official visit to Nigeria
docked at the Lagos port.
The arrival of the ship was met with warm reception by the officials of the Nigerian Navy at the Western Naval Command, led by Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Joseph Apkan.
Commodore Vaughan, who spoke to The Nation, said Nigeria and China have a long standing relationship, adding that the visit was to strengthen that relationship.
He said:” It is said that the navy is an instrument of
diplomacy. Therefore, all navies in the world have diplomatic responsibility to
do what is called in naval parlance flag showing visit for foreign countries
where they have diplomatic and bilateral ties. The Nigerian Navy also does it,
even though not very often. Because such visits from across two oceans are
quite expensive due to the time and effort.
“So, it is not a strange thing that the Chinese are doing this
port visit. Americans, Europeans, French and Spanish do it very often. Sometime
last year the European Union rejigged its standing relationship with the Gulf
of Guinea (GOG) nations by bringing three of their ships, a Spanish ship,
Italian ship and one other ship, all in the name and security of the GOG.
“As you are also aware, the Chinese have interest in Nigeria
and a growing interest in Africa. But that is not the issue; the issue is that
it is just a routine visit by a Chinese warship. It is to further foster and
show the bilateral ties that exist between Nigeria and China.
“You recalled that last year the Chinese gifted the Nigerian
government a ship, which was handed over to the Nigerian Navy at our base in
Apapa. Also there was some equipment that was handed over to the Nigerian Army,
also from the Chinese government.
“Between 2010 and 2012, Nigeria built two ships, offshore
patrol vessels, in China; and the good gesture was rewarded with the gift of a
ship. And recently, we got another ship gift from China. So, the Chinese have a
long standing relationship with Nigeria. Hence, this visit of the Chinese MSL
DESTROYER is a flag showing visit. It will allow them to visit their embassy
and places of interest in Lagos, exchange pleasantries, and play novelty
matches with our sailors. It is a normal naval tradition.”
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