The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, CFR, has officially named Rear Admiral PE Effah as the new Co-Chair of the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum Shared Awareness and De-Confliction (GoG-MCF SHADE), replacing Rear Admiral KO Egbuchulam.
The CNS, in conveying this decision to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), emphasized the ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration and enhancing the security framework in the region.
During the handover ceremony held at NIMASA headquarters in Lagos, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of NIMASA, reiterated the critical role of collaboration in sustaining the progress achieved in combating piracy and other security challenges in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
Dr. Jamoh stated, “NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy will continue to deepen their collaboration with international partners to ensure the safety and security of Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.”
In his remarks at the handover ceremony, Rear Admiral Egbuchulam, the outgoing Co-Chair, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve alongside other navies in the region, which has resulted in relative peace within the SHADE Gulf of Guinea countries. He commended Rear Admiral Effah, the incoming Co-Chair, acknowledging his competence and suitability for the role.
Rear Admiral Effah, currently serving as the Director of Maritime Domain Awareness at the Nigeria Navy headquarters, pledged to swiftly take action in his new position. He also called for increased cooperation from relevant stakeholders to ensure the development of a robust and cooperative maritime environment.
It is worth noting that Nigeria, along with 22 countries under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct (ICC), established the SHADE Gulf of Guinea Collaboration Forum in July 2021.
The primary objective is to facilitate effective counter-piracy cooperation among regional and international navies, the shipping industry, and the reporting centers of the Yaoundé Code of Conduct. This collaboration aims to develop a comprehensive regional strategy for maritime safety and security in the Central and West African region.