Chiemelie Ezeobi
To enhance hydrographic capacity, the Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode recently visited the Centre for Coastal and Ocean Mapping – Joint Hydrographic Centre (CCOM-JHC) at the University of New Hampshire on February 28, 2024.
THISDAY gathered that the visit was part of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla’s vision to enhance Nigeria’s hydrographic capacity through collaboration and synergy with other hydrographic stakeholders, including research institutions.
During the visit, the Hydrographer who met with Andy Armstrong, the Co-director of the CCOM-JHC and Brian Calder, a Research Professor at the Centre, held wide ranging discussions on several areas including capacity building and research collaborations.
Other areas of discussion included development of autonomous systems and Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure, Ocean Data Visualisation as well as seafloor characterisation and tidal modelling.
Rear Admiral Olugbode said: “As we strive to map Nigerian waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea to promote ocean science for navigational safety, maritime security and sustainable development of the Blue Economy, it is important to bridge existing knowledge and capacity gaps through research and partnerships.
” It is hoped that this visit to CCOM-JHC kickstarts a lasting and productive collaboration for the advancement of hydrography in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.”
