Much Ado About Presidential Yacht
By Dr Olu Agunloye
I had never for once imagined that PBAT would order a luxury yacht for enjoyment.
I actually think that in 2002, the then CNS and I hosted the British Chief of Navy on the presidential yacht when I was the Minister of Defence (Navy).
Agunloye is former Minister of Defence
By HON JOHN DARA
“Let me just throw some light. Actually, that vessel was purchased by the previous administration, it has already been delivered and was to be used by President Buhari for the last NN Fleet review.
It is not a luxury Yatch in the way we probably think. It is multipurpose vessel used for ceremonial events, training and patrols. The item budgeted is the last milestone payment that includes spares, training etc. The training team have even left.
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For historical insight, Nigeria has always had a presidential Yatch. The last was NNS RUWAN YARO later AMARIYA, which served the ceremonial purpose as well as being a training ship.
It was seized from a former governor of River State, Diette Spiff and handed over to the Navy. The vessel was used extensively by various presidents starting from Shehu Shagari. General Babangida sailed with the vessel to Benin Republic to attend an ECOWAS meeting in the 80s.
The last president to use it was President Obasanjo, who hosted visiting Presidents on the vessel in Lagos. The one I remember vividly was the German Chancellor. The vessel was decommissioned around 2011.
In 2018, when the Prince of Wales visited and requested to be taken to sea, then President Buhari asked of the Yatch and was told it had been decommissioned.
The Ship I commanded at the time was repurposed as a ceremonial Yatch to take then Prince Charles to Sea.. The NN was told to source for options, hence the recent acquisition.”
*•Dara is former SA to Hon Minister of Defence, Gen TY Danjuma*
