About 40 officers and 140 ratings of the Nigerian Navy departed Calabar for Sydney, Australia, last Thursday, to participate in the centenary Battle of Trafalgar, which will be reviewed by the Queen of England in the United Kingdom.
At the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA jetty, venue of the take-off of NNS Thunder, Flag Officer, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Joe Aikhomu, told journalists that the voyage to Sydney was a friendly and diplomatic expedition, urging the crew to see the mission as a training programme meant to enhance the Navy’s proficiency.
He charged the crew to see themselves as worthy ambassadors, who have been privileged to keep the country’s flag flying, urging them to remain law abiding and stick to the rules and regulations guiding the international waterways and every seaports that their ship may berth.
Aikhomu said the naval ship is heading for Australia to participate in an international fleet review which is a third major event meant for 50 countries of the world, including Russia and the United States with only Nigeria and South Africa representing the African continent.
According to him, the ship would have to pass through the seaports of Luanda, Cape Verde, Port Louise, Freemantle, Horbarty- Tasmania, to enable the crew participate in the event which is to begin in October to help the world Navy mark the 200 years Battle of Trafalgar.
He said in 2004, NNS Arado participated in the event which took place also in the United Kingdom.
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