The HNLMS Rotterdam visiting Nigeria for the military exercise

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The HNLMS Rotterdam

From Benjamin A Ameh, Lagos

The Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Rotterdam will visit Lagos, Nigeria as part of the military exercise ‘African Winds 2013’ from October 15 to 19, 2013.

The HNLMS Rotterdam will conduct join trainings with African partners, and also function as a platform for high level business events in West Africa’s main ports, presenting opportunities for African as well as Dutch businesses, thus increasing regional prosperity. In addition, the ‘African Winds 2013’ deployment highlights the importance of regional security, as served by the Royal Netherlands Navy and its international partners.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, H.E. John C.M. Groffen, says: “For the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, strengthening our bilateral economic ties is a top priority. This visit is characterised by the combined focus of strong economic relations, and constructive cooperation in the field of regional security. These are core topics of this Embassy.” 

All stakeholders are kindly invited to attend the press conference on Wednesday 16 October from 10:00 (prompt) on board the HNLMS Rotterdam, where Commanding Officer HNLMS Rotterdam Captain Jan Hubert Hulsker, Mission Commander APS 2013 Colonel Frederik Swart H.E. Ambassador John C.M. Groffen, , and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba (all speakers tbc) will deliver statements on the visit. Following the press conference, media representatives are invited for a short tour of the HNLMS Rotterdam.

As results of the visit of the HNLMS Rotterdam, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands organises a number of topical meetings and events, such as a business forum for maritime businesses from Nigeria and the Netherlands. The press is invited to attend (parts of) the below activities.

On Wednesday, the Embassy will organise a high level expert meeting on flood control/water management. The aim of the event is to present Dutch expertise to be utilised for Nigerian challenges in the field, and to exchange best practices for private and public innovative solutions for increased water resource potential, utilisation and management.

The Hon. Federal Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe, and high-level delegations from Osun, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Oyo and Kogi states have confirmed their attendance.

While on Thursday, the Embassy, together with its partners, organises a technical workshop on maritime security issues in the Gulf of Guinea. Notably, the event will focus on international cooperation in the field of secure seaways and access to maritime infrastructure such as ports and off-shore installations. Among the participants of the meeting will be representatives of NIMASA, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria and the SSA to the President on Maritime Services

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is committed to allow children to also benefit from the visit of the HNLMS Rotterdam, so that they too, can learn about relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands. To that end, H.E. Ambassador John C.M. Groffen will visit the Nigerian Navy School in Apapa, Lagos, on Friday at 09:30. Subsequently, at 11:00 am, Nigerian school children will join children from the Dutch school in Lagos for a visit onboard the HNLMS Rotterdam.


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