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The Commanding Officer of the Navy’s Forward Operating Base, Capt. Adams-Aliu has urged Nigerians to leverage the vast network of West African waterways for exporting goods.
Highlighting the advantages of sea transport, the Officer emphasized its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ability to bypass landlocked transit bottlenecks.
Adams-Aliu gave the advice when the Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Mr Olusegun Onilude, paid a courtesy visit to the Base in Akarakumo, Badagry.
According to him , the Badagry sea corridor opens us to the economy of West Africa.
“It is a pity that right now we have not exploited it enough for Nigerian business exports.
“We have allowed smuggling cannabis sativa, rice and all sort of contrabands into the country to plague the corridor.”
He said the Nigerian navy under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff ,Vice Admiral EI Ogalla would not tolerate illegalities in the Nigerian waters.
“Our target in this sea corridor should be massive export of made in Nigeria goods.
“I believe that Nigeria as a nation is at a crossroad for the better but no nation in the history of the world has developed extensively without the waters.
“Look at the United Kingdom, this is very small Island on the globe but they have dominated the world because they mastered the sea.
“They sailed to India, colonized them, sailed to New Zealand, colonized them, sailed to Africa and dominated a large part of Africa including Nigeria.
“This extensive global reach can only be achieved on the platform of the Nigerian navy,” he said.
Adams-Aliu urged Nigerians to give the military their deserved honour and respect instead of comparing them with the military in foreign countries.
Responding, Onilude commended the navy for their unflinching commitment in securing lives and property in the local government.
According to him, Badagry is a very distinct place given its place in Nigeria’s history and its strategic location as a gateway to other West African countries.
“This visit is to first commend you and your men for the yeoman’s job you’re doing in securing our waterways.
“I understand the challenges inherent in maintaining territorial integrity on water and it is why I once again commend you.
“As an administration, we will continue to support you with necessary logistics as well as collaborate with you and other security agencies to ensure that we sustain the momentum,” he said
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