A delegation of U.S. National War College (USNWC) on Friday visited the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos to strengthen existing relations and enhance their knowledge about the Nigerian Navy.
The leader of the delegation, Capt. Corey Ray, told newsmen that the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the military of both countries.
“Part of our curriculum in War College is looking at Nigeria’s economic growth, prosperity and opportunities, and this is why we are in Nigeria.
“We have other students travelling around the world this week to Germany, China and Japan, so this is part of the students who came to Nigeria,” he said.
Receiving the delegation, Rear-Adm. Sylvanus Abbah, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, said the visit showed the existing cordial bilateral relations between Nigeria and America.
Represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, he said the visit was an extension of the relations, particularly in the defence sphere.
“This visit is to strengthen relations between the military of the U.S. and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“For now, the oil still drives most of our economic activities and we believe that anything that tends to harm this particular sector is economic sabotage.
“Patrol efforts of the Command have led to the reduction of maritime theft and illegality,” he said.
Abbah said that the U.S. had helped in the training of Nigerian navy personnel.
Abbah said that the U.S had been helpful in assisting the navy with the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability (RMAC).
This, he said, had helped in the reduction of illegality on the waters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. team, made up of nine officers, is expected to visit other military formations. (NAN)