Nigerian Navy’s newest Landing Ship Tank, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA has arrived Port of Al Duqum, Oman on the first leg of her homeward voyage to Nigeria.
The arrival of NNS KADA in Oman makes her the first Nigerian Navy ship to visit that country, a statement from the Naval Spokesman Commodore Adedotun Ayo Vaughan said.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy recently took delivery of NNS KADA at the Albwardy Damen Shipyard, Sharjah, United Arab Emirate. The vessel was conceived as a replacement for the NNS AMBE and NNS OFIOM that were decommissioned about 10 years ago.
The statement said that during the port call in Oman, the Commanding Officer NNS KADA, Captain Reginald Adoki paid a courtesy call on the Commander of the Duqm Naval Unit, Captain Badr Mohammed Al BU Saidi.The visit opened a vista for enhanced military relations between Nigeria and Oman.In appreciation of the visit, Captain Badar Mohammed stated that an Omani sailing vessel would be made to embark on a two yearly flag tour to Nigeria and West Africa for the first time.Other activities during the visit were a novelty football, volleyball match and a cocktail on board the ship.
In continuation of her maiden voyage,NNS KADA’s next port of call will be Mombasa, Kenya. The induction of NNS KADA into the Nigerian Navy fleet will play a critical role in sea lift of troops, maritime crises management especially by conveying relief materials thus contributing significantly to the promotion of humanitarian assistance within West Africa and beyond.