NNS Aradu off to UK for fleet review NNS ARADU, the flagship of the Nigerian Navy, left Nigeria on Wednesday, 1 Jun 05, for the United Kingdom to take part in the International Fleet Review, which would be held from June 20. Wives of the 250-member crew on board NNS Aradu were at the Naval Dockyard on Victoria Island Lagos to bid their spouses fare well.

NNS Aradu was acquired by the regime of former President Shehu Shagari in 1982 but has been alongshore for over 10 years, as it could not go to sea for exercises. The ship, the biggest in the Navy’s inventory, was recently refitted, refurbished and equipped with modern gunnery by an assemblage of serving and retired Navy engineers, courtesy of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan.

Attempts to rehalitate the ship in the past proved abortive as foreign contractors invited for that purpose demanded N19 billion, and half of it must be paid before work could commence on NNS Aradu. However, Afolayan broke that jinx.

Wives of Naval officers under the aegis of the Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA) led by the National President, Mrs. Treasure Afolayan, were not left out of the show. Praised God for allowing the Navy to ounce back.

Courtesy of: Akintomide Olamilokun Block 12 Flat 3 Rabiat Thompson Crescent Surulere Lagos

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