A Cameroonian Navy Ship, CNS Le Ntem, has visited the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar to strengthen maritime relationship between the two navies.
The ship arrived the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNS-Victory) jetty in Calabar on Thursday.
Briefing newsmen in Calabar, Rear Adm. James Oluwole, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, said the ship was on a friendly visit to Calabar to strengthen maritime relations.
According to him, the ship represented the Government of Cameroon in Nigeria, adding that both navies had enjoyed cordial working relationship along the maritime coast over the years.
The FOC said that the Nigerian Navy, which was saddled with the responsibility of safe-guarding the maritime domain, would not relent in fostering cordial working relationship between both navies.
“I want to specially salute the efforts of the Cameroonian navy for embarking on this journey with the aim of fostering cordial working relationship.
“I am seeing this visit as a sign that we want to work together. Over the years, the naval interaction between both navies has improved greatly.
“Looking at your vessel and the visit, I am very confident that the collaboration will checkmate maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
“I can assure you that the Nigerian and Cameroonian Navy will continue to work together to ensure that we deliver on our different roles’’, Oluwole said.
Responding, Commanding Officer of CNS Le Ntem, Capt. Mekinda Betrand, said that the friendly visit was to strengthen the maritime relationship between both navies.
Betrand expressed satisfaction with the operational method of the Nigerian Navy, saying that the Cameroonian navy was happy to have a cordial maritime relationship with their Nigerian counterpart.
The Cameroonian Counsel in Nigeria, Michel Atamdana, thanked the FOC for the warm reception of their vessel into Nigeria.
Both navies were thrilled to a cocktail party on Saturday night to celebrate the Cameroon’s national day, which is observed on May 20 every year.
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