Strengthening Nigeria/UK Bilateral Ties through Port Calls, Trainings

Chiemelie Ezeobi

As part of her three months deployment to the Gulf of Guinea (GoG), the Royal Navy Ship, HMS TRENT arrived Lagos last week, its first port visit to Nigerian waters, a move that has strengthened the bilateral ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

The port visit to Nigeria was the second port the ship has visited since leaving Gibraltar earlier in October this year.

During the visit, the ship was involved in various capability demonstrations and training, with 42 Commando delivering their specific Vessel Boarding, Search and Seizure training to the Nigerian Navy.

As is the norm, the British envoy led an entourage to pay a courtesy call on the Western Naval Command (WNC) of the Nigerian Navy (NN), where the Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, reiterated the long standing relationship between both nations.

Received by the Flag Officer Command (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, the British Envoy stressed that the presence of its warship would further deepen the existing socio-economic and bilateral relationship of both countries.

He said: “UK as a core member of the Commonwealth nations is very keen to see cooperation amongst other Commonwealth nations.

“Nigeria, is not just a Commonwealth nation, but one of our strongest allies in West Africa. So, part of the co-operations we have is to try and understand how to build on that. Expand on our defence links and also strengthen our trade and expand our economic link”

Earlier in his welcome address, the FOC WEST said despite the fact that it’s been quite a while since Nigeria received a team or delegation, particularly a naval warship from the UK to the country’s waters, it does not mean that both countries had not been having engagements on the defence area across the three services.

Reiterating he said: “We have been engaging in areas of training where our personnel attend courses in your country.

“We have also been engaging in areas of training where some of your personnel have been involved in our trainings.

“I am aware of engagements in the areas of acquisition of platforms in our efforts to recapitalise our fleets. Be that as it may, your visit this time is highly welcomed. And, going forward, we intend to have a joint exercise involving our ships, air assets and HMS TRENT.”

Afterwards, there was a reception to welcome the ship to Lagos at the NPA jetty. At the reception, Llewellyn-Jones said stressed that “Nigeria’s security and prosperity matters to the UK. The Royal Navy is here because the UK is a committed partner for Nigeria and the wider West African region.

“We will continue to work with the Nigerian authorities to address illegal activity; improve maritime security; counter-piracy and tackle the Illegal Wildlife Trade. To do this we will draw on the experience we have of cross and multi-agency co-operation in the UK to promote peace, development, and prosperity.”

Stating that they would train more personnel of the Nigerian Navy in the fight against criminalities like piracy, drugs smuggling and other crime-related activities, he added that “Nigeria is an important and valued defence partner for the UK as both countries share threats and we are determined to defeat these and help improve maritime security in the area”.

Also speaking, HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Thomas Knott said:“As Trent made her way to the Gulf of Guinea my crew honed their skills in maritime security operations and commenced counter illicit activity patrols.

“Piracy, narcotics and broader criminal activities in this region demand that my Royal Navy Sailors and Royal Marine Commando Force are always ready. Boarding exercises are vital integration training for the newly embarked Royal Marines, who joined at the start of HMS Trent’s patrol of the Gulf of Guinea.

“42 Commando will perform a key role as part of the ship’s company of HMS Trent, training partner forces across the region and helping to develop their capabilities.”

THISDAY gathered that the three-month deployment will see the ship travel around the Gulf of Guinea, visiting countries including Ghana, Senegal, and Gambia.

Alongside their commitments to conduct joint exercises and train with partners in the region HMS Trent will also conduct maritime security patrols and promote the UK’s position as co-president at the G7++ Friends of Gulf of Guinea conference in November.