BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

The Turkish government has donated a warship to the Nigerian Navy and other defence personnel in Lagos, as part of measures to boost the nation’s security on water  and protection it’s territorial integrity.

*Nigerian navy ship

Amidst fanfare and military ceremony at Apapa Ports, venue of the presentation, associates of Turkish government, especially the facilitator, Shitta-Bey’s family, were present to support the Turkish Maritime Task Group to deliver the warship to the Naval authorities.

Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Mustafa Pulat, explained that the initiative was to support the Nigerian Navy to ensure optimum security on water and also give the Nigerian government the opportunity to put in place certain security measures to overcome varying challenges.

Pulat said the friendship that existed between Nigeria and Turkey was a good testimony that had reflected positively on major areas in both countries.

According to him, the Turkish government will continue to explore all avenues to ensure that there are positive effects on all sectors of the Nigerian economy through the existing cordial relationship between the two countries.

Patriarch of the Shitta-Bey family and an astute politician, Chief Adewale Rasheed Shitta-Bey, expressed gratitude on the occasion, saying the blossomed relationship between the Shitta-Bey family and the Turkish government was a sign post for good things to come in the near future.