She lauded the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in securing the nation’s coastline and Gulf of Guinea for 28 years.
The minister spoke at the Admiralty Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, during the 2022 World Hydrography Day Celebration.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘Hydrography: Contributing to the United Nations ocean decade,’ Saraki said Nigeria would be marking five months of zero attack on the coastal region in 28 years.
While commending the agencies, the minister noted that the celebration focused on the works and responsibilities of the Nigerian Navy in surveying and charting of the geographical landscape of the waters.
She said, “Every day is hydrography day to a naval officer or a cadet. Like other science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, hydrography has traditionally seen low rates of female participation. Yes, I am going there. It is my hope that in your pursuit of excellence, you will begin to promote and include women in hydrography daily as well. And of course, this will be a good project for the hydrographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral Emeka Okafor, to champion.”
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said the Navy had produced nine navigational paper charts and five cells of electronic navigational charts in two years.
Gambo said the hydrographic office had started making nautical publications.
“These huge hydrographic capacity development efforts are coming at a time when the world is focused on the use of ocean sciences to achieve sustainable development,” he added.
