The newly acquired Nigerian Navy warship, NNS KADA, has arrived the Port of Luanda, Angola for diplomatic visit, enroute Nigeria, Nigeria’s Navy has said.
The port call, according to the Nigerian Navy, is part of scheduled port calls to friendly countries as the vessel heads home to Nigeria.
The Luanda visit comes 13 days after the ship paid a similar visit to the Port of Cape Town, South Africa.
A statement by the Nigerian Navy Spokesman, Commodore Adedotun Ayo Vaughan on Friday, May 20 said the NNS KADA was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Angola, Prof Monique Ekpong, the Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Amb Adenike Ukonga and a delegation from the Naval Headquarters led by the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), accompanied by the Defence Attache to Angola, Commodore Mohammed Muye, Commodore Yusuf Idris and Captain Badamasi Yahuza.
During the visit, the CNS representative, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu appreciated the Angolan government for their support in receiving the ship. The representative of the Luanda Port Harbour Master, Joser R Amaral, recalled that Angola and Nigeria has had a long standing relationship over years and pledged to provide any additional support required by the ship.
NNS KADA departed the United Arab Emirates on Friday 1 April 2022 after a Change of Flag ceremony and she is expected to arrive Nigeria on 27th of May.
NNS KADA is a 100 m-long landing ship with a displacement of 1,300 tonnes, a range of 4,000 n miles, and an endurance of 15 days. It has both stern and bow ramps, as well as a flight deck for a medium helicopter. It can carry 235 troops as well as 18 crew. Two davits for launching and recovering landing craft and a 25-tonne cargo crane are options.
It will provide essential sealift capabilities for the Nigerian Navy especially during periods of national emergency.
